Father Of Madonna's New Baby Boy Was Unclear Of What Adoption Means

The father of the baby boy adopted by Madonna now claims that he didn't fully understand what he was doing when he gave up his 13-month-old son, which could throw another wrench into the process.

Yohane Banda, a 32-year-old illiterate peasant farmer, signed adoption papers earlier this month. That prompted a Malawian judge to grant Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie a temporary order to take his son David back to their home in London, England. However, Banda told the Associated Press that he didn't know that the term "adoption" meant that David would cease to be his son.

"If we were told that she wants to take the baby as her own, we could not have consented because I see no reason why I should give away my son," he said.

Banda thought that giving up David was in his best interest, since his mother died shortly after his birth and he had been living in an orphanage in the impoverished African nation. He was thankful that the infant would be rescued from "poverty and disease," but claims that he was under the impression that David would return to his village after he was taken care of and educated.

"I want more clarification on the adoption. I would prefer that David goes back to the orphanage where I can see him any time I want, rather than send him away for good."

The Human Rights Consultative Committee, comprised of 67 human rights groups, has challenged the adoption. They say that laws in both Malawi and the U.K. weren't adhered to in the case, and that Madonna may have been treated differently than most prospective parents because of her wealth and celebrity status.Madonna will defend the adoption on Wednesday when she appears on Oprah Winfrey's television show. It hasn't been confirmed if David will accompany the singer when she flies to the U.S. to tape the program.

After David arrived in London earlier this month, Madonna is reported to have spent 15,000 pounds ($31,680 Canadian) on a child-sized electric car, a rocking horse, giant cuddly toys and other playthings, as well as designer clothes. She has also decorated his nursery with giant murals of tigers and lions, and has installed a surround-sound system.

"Madonna's only stipulation was that there was no television in his room," a source told Britain's Daily Mail newspaper. "As with her other two children, she doesn't want David growing up watching mundane rubbish."

Speaking of Madonna and TV, NBC has removed footage of her performing while wearing a crown of thorns while suspended on a giant cross that was going to appear in her Nov. 22 two-hour prime-time special. Conservative Christian groups had organized a campaign urging NBC affiliate stations to refuse to carry the special if the crucifix performance remained part of it. Madonna was intent on keeping the controversial scene, but bowed to pressure.