Family of Madge's Would-Be Kid 'Laughs Off' Alleged Dad

As Madonna’s adoption appeal got under way today in Malawi, the family of orphan Mercy James dismissed attempts by her alleged biological father to interject himself, the AP reports. “How can he claim he is the father when he hasn’t been around all this time?” Mercy’s uncle said of security guard James Kambewa, adding that Mercy’s family agreed to Madonna’s adoption and Kambewa is “just an opportunist.”

“This boy is a joker and we told his delegation never to waste our time again,” the uncle told People. “James has no case since if he wanted to have anything to do with the child he should have been there even after his girlfriend died.” (More Madonna stories.)