Madonna speaks for first time about adoption

Madonna made her first public comments about her adoption of a Malawi boy, saying she acted within the law and followed the normal process to adopt the child.

"We have gone about the adoption procedure according to the law, like anyone else who adopts a child. Reports to the contrary are totally inaccurate," Madonna said in the statement, issued via e-mail to the Associated Press.

Madonna and the Malawi government have been under criticism from several children's right groups, saying the country sped up the adoption process for the singer.

Madonna said in the statement she began the adoption process months ago, but chose not to make it public.

"After learning that there were over 1 million orphans in Malawi, it was my wish to open up our home and help one child escape an extreme life of hardship, poverty and in many cases death, as well as expand our family," Madonna said.

"This was not a decision or commitment that my family or I take lightly."