Judge nearly granted Madonna adoption

LILONGWE, Malawi, April 4 (UPI) -- A judge in Malawi was tempted to allow U.S. pop singer Madonna to adopt a second Malawian child, court records show.

Justice E.J. Chombo wrote in her ruling she ultimately barred the "Like a Virgin" singer's adoption attempt amid concerns that allowing Madonna to adopt 3-year-old Chifundo James could lead to child trafficking, CNN reported Saturday.

"There is a gripping temptation to throw caution to the wind and grant an adoption in the hope that there will be a difference in the life of even just one child," the judge wrote in Friday's ruling.

"But removing the very safeguard that is supposed to protect our children… could actually facilitate trafficking of children by some unscrupulous individuals."

The High Court judge was referring to a Malawi law that requires an individual to live in Malawi for a certain period of time before attempting to adopt a Malawi native, CNN said.

Madonna, whose full name is Madonna Ciccone, adopted Malawi native David Banda, 3, in 2006. The singer also has two other children of her own.