Malawi judges approves Madonna's adoption of boy

LILONGWE, Malawi - A Malawi judge has approved Madonna's adoption of a Malawian boy she found in an orphanage in 2006.

Madonna was not in court for Wednesday's ruling.

The pop star and her husband, film director Guy Ritchie, have been caring for the boy, David Banda, in London. David turns 3 in November.

David's mother died when he was a month old. His father has said he believed he could not care for him alone, and that placing him in an orphanage was the best way to ensure David's survival. The father has said he did not object to Madonna adopting David.