Rep: Madonna "Has Not Made an Attempt to Adopt" Malawian Girl

A report that Madonna is adopting a three-year-old girl, Mercy James, from Malawi is not true, her rep tells Usmagazine.com.

"Madonna has not made an attempt to adopt this baby earlier this year or now," Liz Rosenberg tells Us.

Rosenberg also confirmed to Us what she told CelebTV.com: "There is no truth to this rumor. It's an old one - wasn't true then or now. Madonna is starting her tour in a week."

(Madonna's rep initially denied reports she was adopting David Banda, 2, also from Malawi.)

Malawian adoption minister Penstone Kilembe had told Britain's Sun: "Madonna's representatives have been visiting the girl. The adoption is now advanced — all the government is waiting for is Madonna to forward the petition of adoption formalities.

"Then Mercy will be able to leave the country for a new life," he added.

See photos of more stars who have adopted.

The Sun claimed the singer, 49, had been pursuing Mercy James for a year but stopped proceedings when her marriage to Guy Ritchie grew rocky.

(Us Weekly first reported Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez had been making late night visits to Madonna's NYC apartment . His wife, Cynthia, later blamed the singer for "brainwashing" him, and destroying their marriage. Both Madonna and Ritchie, 39, also visited divorce lawyers.)

One of Madonna's pals told the Sun that she "fell in love" with Mercy after meeting her in an orphanage last year. The paper also reports that Malawian officials approved the adoption last August, but stopped proceedings after her uncle, John Nglanade, 36, blocked the adoption.

“Twice I have told the adoption people that I do not want Mercy to go outside the country," added her grandmother, Lucy Chekechiwa.

Chekechiwa, who lives in the Zomba District of the country, calls her granddaughter "such a beautiful, happy child."

Madonna's adoption of David Banda was approved by the country's courts in May after a two-year battle.

Madonna found David at the orphanage through her Raising Malawi charity.

But there was no family strife in this adoption.

"I gave Madonna 100% rights for my son," his father, Yohane Banda, told Us earlier this week. "He is her son. It's because of her benovent nature that he assured me she will not cut ties with me."

Banda's grandmother, Asineti Mwale, 60, died of pneumonia August 10, Banda confirmed to Us.

In her last interview last month when Yohane Banda's new wife, Flora, gave birth to another son, Mwale said: "I wish David would come to see me before I die. I hope he will one day come to see his brother."