: MediaTakeOut.com has learned that there is trouble on the horizon for Brad and Angelina, and baby Zahara. According to In Touch Magazine, Zahara's birth family want to bring the two-year-old home to Ethiopia.
Mentewab Dawit Lebiso, who claims to be Zahara's birth mother, told the magazine that she'd love to be reunited with the child. She was quoted as saying, "I want my daughter to come home to see where she is from. Her grandmother and I both tried very hard to raise her, and I want her to come home to regain her identity."
And Zahara's birth mom is claiming that she was tricked into giving up Zahara. Her family say that a local official, who took Zahara to the adoption agency, told the family they would get to see the baby again and maintain contact with her. But that has not happened.
Zahara's biological aunt told In Touch, "After they took the baby, they didn't keep in contact. They didn't tell us anything about her. My mother was very sad. At one point she was even thinking of trying to find a way to bring her grandchild back. But she has no money, so she can't."
However, a friend in Angelina's camp rebuts Zahar's family's claims. She said, "[Angelina] believes that Zahara is an orphan and the woman who claims to be her mum is mistaken. Government papers said Zahara was an Aids orphan and Angie had no reason to believe otherwise ... Zahara was days away from death and Angelina saved that child. As far as she is concerned, that bonded her to that little girl forever."
And there's more. MediaTakeOut.com has learned that the birth mother never signed the papers giving up her daughter. This could, according to some adoption experts, be cause for getting Zahara back. That is, if the family had the money to pursue it.
I think these people are out they *** mind. She gave that little away and now wants her back, thats not fair to Angelina she's attached to that little girl! I wouldn't give her back. to bad now that she probably see her on TV and magazines she wants her back?????? HELL NO. HAVE ANOTHER, she didnt lend her to Angelina she gave her up. No one forced her to do it get the *** outta here.
If they couldn't take care of the child then what makes them think they can now? This child is in a loving and happy home why would you want to take her from all that she knows to something she doesn't. Loosing her identity? doubt it her identity is what she has now and has had since she has been adopted. See this is the stuff that makes me sick about adoption. People just can come back and want to get their child back and that is why adoption in the US is the way it is and most people go oversees. Leave that baby alone.
They can forget about it...First, how do we know that she is REALLY the birth mom and not some scammer looking for attention. I bet this turns into some kind of money grab before its all over. Second, that girl has already bonded with her new family. TO rip her away and uproot her at this point (especially after everything Angie went through to get her healthy) would be cruel and not in her best interest.
no offense but she seems selfish to me. She could never afford the life the brad and angie give her. I believe that once you give a child up that needs to be it. I know its hard to swollow, but you gave your child up and now because she is in the public eye she wants her back? That baby stands a chance to get an education, food, clothing...the good life. No offense you can't send a child to college on selling onions...
I CANNOT BELIEVE THE THINGS THAT I AM HEARING YOU PEOPLE SAY THIS MORNING. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT REALLY HAPPENED WITH THAT WHOLE ADOPTION AGENCY THING THIS COULD BE HER MOM AND SHE COULD BE TELLING THE TRUTH. AND IF SO WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE MOM HAVING VISITATION RIGHTS OR BEING ABLE TO SEE HER DAUGHTER FROM TIME TO TIME. WHERE IS EVERYONES HUMANITY. JUST BECAUSE THESE CELEBRITIES HAVE MONEY DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY CAN TAKE PEOPLES CHILDREN AWAY FROM THEM. IT IS NOT THIS MOTHERS FAULT BECAUSE SHE LIVE IN POVERTY. MAYBE THE MOTHER COULD GIVE ANGELINA SOME TIPS ON HOW TO COMB ZAHARAS HAIR SINCE ANGELINA SURELY ISN'T TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT. EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE WHERE AND KNOW WHERE THEY CAME FROM. AS STATED EARLIER WHY DON'T YOU EVER SEE BRAD AND ANGIES OFFSPRING. HMMM. WAKE UP PEOPLE I KNOW THAT IT IS EARLY BUT GET A GRIP. BRITTANY SPEARS STILL HAVE CONTACT WITH HER CHILDREN AND LORD KNOWS THAT SHE ***, BUT OH I ALMOST FORGOT SHE HAS MONEY AND ZAHARAS MOTHER DON'T.
THIS COULD BE A MOVIE CALLED "LOSING ZAHARA". LOL!
HER MOTHER WANTS HER TO GO HOME HUH? WHAT HOME? I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT SHE MAY STILL FEEL A BOND, BECAUSE THAT CHILD DID COME OUT OF HER, BUT TOO LITTLE TOO LATE. I WOULD REQUEST MONTHLY VISITS OR SOMETHING, BUT I WOULDN'T WANT HER TO COME BACK HOME PERMANENTLY. THAT'S VERY SELFISH AT THIS POINT.
THEN AGAIN, ANGELINA LOOKS JUST AS MAL-NUTRITIONED AS THEY DO, SO SHE MAY BE BETTER OFF BACK HOME. AT LEAST HER MOTHER/GRANDMOTHER LOOK HEALTHIER LOL! I AGREE WITH SOMEONE ABOVE ABOUT ANGELINA SPENDING MORE TIME WITH ZAHARA THEN HER OWN BABY. BRAD MUST BE LIKE WTF IS THAT SH!T ABOUT? LOL!
I'D ALSO LIKE TO ADD, THAT I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE WHAT THE REAL STORY IS, BUT WHETHER PAPERS WERE SIGNED OR NOT, I WOULDN'T WANT MY CHILD LIVING IN POVERTY, IF SHE WAS LIVING A LIFE LIKE SHE IS.
NOT MANY PEOPLE, LET ALONE ETHIOPIAN KIDS, GET A CHANCE TO LIVE SUCH A PRIVILEGED LIFESTYLE. I WOULD WANT MY CHILD TO KNOW WHERE SHE'S FROM, BUT AT THE SAME TIME,NOT BE SUBJECT TO FAMINE AND POSSIBLE BABY RAPE (WHICH IS VERY COMMON IN THAT AREA)JUST SO I COULD SAY, I HAVE MY CHILD. IT'S ALL ABOUT A GOOD, HEALTHY LIFE FOR ZAHARA AT THE END OF THE DAY, AT LEAST IT SHOULD BE. F**K THE HAIRSTYLE SH!T, THAT GIRL COULD HAVE A MESSED UP DO FOR THE REST OF HER, LIFE, IT'S WORTH THE TRADE OFF. THINK LESS ABOUT PHYSICAL APPEARANCE AND MINOR STUFF AND THINK ABOUT HOW THIS BABY HAS JUST BEEN SAVED.
First of all. Mrs. Not-So Good Idea, Ethiopians are a very beautiful people. Zahara will prob look 20 times better than u when she grows up and prob looks 10 times better than you now. Also, let's remember this people. Zahara was NOT in her mother's care. You don't get "tricked" into handing over your flesh and blood to someone who says, "Oh...you'll see her again." They do see her cute little rich & happy *** again and again on magazines. They just want some of that dough. Brangelina ain't havein' that. But they might be nice to the family...Hopefully. If they are as "nice and caring" as they are painted to be.
They don't want Zahara, they just want Angelina's money. Golddiggers.
Africa is a *** up place. David Banda's father did the same thing. Got all these people lying about their children, and then when someone rich shows up all of a sudden they want their children back... or rather, a pay off. Notice, Zahara's mother doesn't really want her back, she just wants her to 'know her heritage'. Would that include the heritage of the alleged rape that produced her?
I am not buying this. Golddiggers. Once you abandon your child for dead, no take backs once you discover the child has been picked up by rich folks.
Get over it. It's a wrap. If they could afford to take care of her Angie wouldn't have her... it's over for them, Zahara has a new life and I'm happy for her.
She's old, she's hot, she knows your business, she tells your business, she cusses your azz out, and then gives you a piece of candy on your way out the door... she's Miss Pearl
[link to external website removed] [link to external website removed] [link to external website removed]
A new twist on African American News and Entertainment
WHITE PEOPLE STAY OUT OF AFRICA AND GIVE BLACKS BACK ALL THE WEALTH YOU STOLE. IF YOU DID THIS THEN THERE PROBABLY WOULD NOT BE POVERTY AND THEREFORE A SO CALLED NEED FOR THESE IDIOTS TO STEAL SOMEBODY'S CHILD. WHITE PEOPLE U CREATED THE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS IN AFRICA, NOW U WANT COME WITH YOUR FAKE AZZ MISSIONARY ZEAL ***. *** U ***.... AFRICA 4 THE AFRICANS
@ LONNYDAN- I AGREE WITH YOU TO AN EXTENT, BUT KEEP IN MIND THAT ALOT OF THESE KIDS ARE BEING RAPED AND ABUSED BY THEIR OWN PEOPLE, SO TO CRITICIZE WHITES FOR TRYING TO PROVIDE A BETTER LIFE, BECAUSE THEY ARE WHITE, IS JUST DUMB.
ALOT OF WHITE PEOPLE HAVE DONE F****D UP THINGS TO BLACKS, BUT JUST LIKE YOU DON'T WANT THEM PUTTING ALL BLACK PEOPLE IN A BOX AND STEREOTYPING US, YOU *** DO THAT TO THEM. ANGELINA LOOKS LIKE SHE LOVES ZAHARA, AND IF WHAT SHE IS DOING CAN INSPIRE OTHER PEOPLE WITH MONEY (WHITE OR BLACK) TO DO THE SAME, THEN ALL THE BETTER. STOP LOOKING AT COLOR AND START LOOKING AT WHAT IS GOING TO HELP THESE KIDS GROW UP AND BE PROVIDED WITH A GOOD EDUCATION, GOOD FOOD, AND HEALTH CARE. HER MOTHER IS OBVIOUSLY NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT FOR HER, SO WHY TAKE HER BACK. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT SHE HAS HAD TIME TO BOND WITH ANGIE, IT WOULD BE WRONG AND JUST DUMB TO TAKE HER BACK TO ETHIOPIA.
Okay so the mother and grandmother couldn't afford to keep Baby Z, so what exactly has changed. She is still selling onions in the market to make a living. The economy over there is not good, so why bring Z back to where she would suffer. Besides that Z is already adjusted and has been with the "Pitts" since birth why take her from her home where she is stabile and obviously happy. NO, leave Z alone.
Just my opinion, Heavenkissed!
---> lonnydan
how many AFRICAN AMERICAN children have YOU adpoted that were born to crack addicted mothers with non-existant fathers? To how many AFRICAN AMERICAN boys have you assumed the role of big brother /mentor /role model to? Just asking, 'cause you sho' do seem to able to preach to everyone else!
WINEDINE69
WHAT HAVE U DONE TO FIGHT FOR THE REDEMPTION OF ARRICA AND AFRICAN PEOPLE, THE LAND OF WHICH AND THE PEOPLE STOLEN AND WEALTH *** OFF THE BLOOD SWEAT AND TEARS OF HUNDREDS OF YEARS OF FREE LABOR FROM AFRICANS WHICH ALLOWED ALL WHITE DECENDANTS SUCH AS BRAD AND ANGELINA TO BE PUT IN A POSITION TO GO TO AFRICA AND FOLLOW THEIR FOREFATHERS TRADITION AND HISTORY OF THEFT? TELL ME U FOOL. IF U CANT THEN *** THE *** UP AND SUK THE CRAK OF MY AFRICAN AZZ U STINKIN PIECE OF ***
Lonnydon. you need to chill. take that energy and use it for the positive. Solve the AIDS in Africa Crisis. Any who when did poor equate to STUPID. If someone comes to take your child and mentions ADOPTION..thats what it is period. Thees ethiopians are really being exploited by the tabloids that want a story by any means necessary!
and for the record...I am an AFRICAN american, I cannot REDEEM AFRICA anymore than you can. I can only do for me and mine and try and help a few along the way...kep it real and save all of that idealistic babble for someone else...blacks in america have it tough enough...DON'T BITE OFF MORE THAN YOU CAN CHEW!
ANDRICE
LOOK, JUST BECAUSE U ARE A WEAK MINDED *** WHO FEELS THEY CANNNOT DONT PUT ME IN THAT CATEGORY BECAUSE I CAN CAN CAN AND I WILL WILL WILL. AFRICA FRO THE AFRICANS. AND IF WE DID NOT HAVE SO MANY LOSER WEAK MINDED IDIOTS LIKE U BLACK PEOPLE WOULD HAVE LONG GOT OUR SELVES ON A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD ECONOMICALLY, SOCIALLY AND POLITICALLY. AND ALSO U A RE A VERY SELF FISH INDIVIDUAL. U AND YOURS, THE NERVE OF YOUR *** AZZ. BOY THEY JUST DONT MAKE EM LIKE MALCOLM, MARTIN, GARVEY AND ALL THOSE WILLING TO DIE FOR THE CAUSE. YOU AND YOURS HA! U *** BAG.
Lonnydan
is the dumbest a$$ in captivity .... anyone who responds to this bitter, ignorant, racist, a$$wipe is wasting time.
Lonny since you hate it ... take your a$$ to africa and play hopscotch in the jungle and tag in the sahara so you can be happy..... bitter a$$ stank cooch wench talking out your a$$ every opportunity you get. Sit down and bite your toenails or something trick.
@kimmiecarmek post above. I agree 100% with your post. It's so easy to buy into the ideal that having the financial means makes one a better parent. There are people in this country that make millions of dollars, does that make them better parents than someone black or brown who lives in the ghetto?? People are looking the other way because we feel the children will (financially) have a better life. Neing able to provide the material things DO NOT make you more capable of being a better parent. If all these wealthy white celebrities really wanted to help they would simply support the family in the native land. A fraction of the money that the Angelina's and Madonna's will spend on designer clothes and exclusive private schools for their new found "pets" could rebuild these improvised African villages. Many of these so called Adoption Agencies are simply SELLING children. Many wealthy people are going to third world country's like Ethiopia and BUYING children because it is the fashionable thing to do right now or even buying them for abusive purposes. Black brown and yellow children haven't been in this much demand since slavery. As someone posted earlier, there was more support of *** Brittney Spears having visitation of her children than these African family members.
didnt they give the child up? why they want her *** now? cuz she living the high life and rich az *** & they want some of it? you think that child gon go from living it up w/ 2 celebritys to going back to some poor azz *** life in ethiopia? please. that little girl is spoiled now. babies aint stupid they know the difference btwn who broke & who aint. lol.
I'm tired of these people taking babies away from families who really don't want to give up their baby. I believe the ethiopian lady because 20/20 or dateline did a show on how these poor families are persuaded to give up their children for a richer life and they lie to these families saying they will still be in contact and so on. All Zahara's mother needed was help raising her child and if I had the money like some of these people have I would help these families keep their children/family togerther. It's like I'm rich your not so I'm going to take your child and give them a better life than you could. But the stories of people who do great things in life come from people who struggled as a child with their family to make ends meat and their lifes is fullier then any rich kid who has it all and trys to show they are more than just a rich kid. I just hate it, at least let the woman see her child. No matter how much you try to make something yours its not. I just hope Angelina don't go adopting more children, instead help those families out who didn't have the means to raise that child.
Angelina went to an orphanage and adopted this girl. So on her part she did everything by the book. I can't comment on if she was really an orphan or if her mother was duped. But I can say that Zahara has been with Angelina for the past two years and their pictures have been in countless gossip magazines, Internet sites, and on television since then. Why is the "family" just speaking up now? Any mother will know their baby from a 1000 babies. If her baby was "sold" why not stop the presses at the first picture of Zahara in a tabloid? Maybe we would more so believe her than we do now. Which leads me to believe that if she really is Zahara's birth mother what's the real why she wants her back with her? Doesn't Zahara have some handicap that's supposedly life threating? How would she pay for the surgery that Zahara needs? Sorry but onions just ain't gonna get it. Angelina and Brad have the means to support and provide for this child. They have formed a bond with her and its evident that they love her and she loves them and is happy. Why take her away from all of that after you let her get accustomed? Because you want something out of it. Maybe a one way ticket out of Ethiopia to the land of the "free"? She'd be better off asking for them to include stops to their hut while they are jet setting across the countries so she can get to know her heritage and culture from blood relatives instead of the watered down versions we see on television.
@ lonnydan- I think that you just like to argue and get a rise out of people because if you were so socially conscious like you'd like us to believe you wouldn't waste your time on a gossip site arguing about Brad and Angelina's kids or anything else that doesn't have substantial meaning to our livelihood.
*** CARE485! "If i had the money i would"...you don't have the money, bottom line. So no one wants to hear about what "you would do if you could". Its totally irrelevant. Angelina did this child a great justice by removing her from that environment, the poor baby was malnourished at a few months old, and now she is a happy, healthy 3 year old. Getting the best of everything life has to offer. *** always sit back talking about what they would do and in the process try to smash those who CAN and DO make a difference. Take that *** elsewhere next time! Fred, revoke her too!
I agree with some of the post on this sit , The reason africa is so messed up because of white men invasion, My african country man is worse off then we are here in america. africa has 52 countries on this 2nd largest continent , But the people are so divided and in the northern part of africa the arabs are now raping little girl just to change the color of the people . zahara should know her true culture i am not saying take her back but teach her heritage. we all are messed up behind slavery africans and african americans we need to come together all over the world black people look at the state we are in ,enough said
@ loonydan, im with u 100%
sorry bt for once i agree with lonnydan. white people took a lot frm us, *** nw we suffering. all problem tht w have in africa r bcoz of white people *** thts real. fyn angie took care of this child, appreciated bt if they told zaharaz mum tht she wld be able to visit *** see her kid then so be it. she shld be entitled to see her child, period, regardless of whetha she poor or not. its her kid pple
I think this is a scam. They are very poor in africa, and they use little girls like baby zahara & girls/women in general for *** in exchange for money. They either sell their daughters, or *** them out. Angelina dosen't have to let the birth mother see her child, thats her daughter now. She adopted her, I doubt angelina is EVER going to give that little girl back, she is a UN Ambassador or something like that. Thats not right for that mama or whoever she is to want her daughter back now that she is healthy and able provide money for her family in more than one way.
I'll take Angelina's "Booty Lips" anyday.....doesn't take away from her looks one bit...it actually enhances them.
And I bet Zee's mother wants some kinda compensation too...she should of thought long and hard about giving up her child...She should also be happy that Zee has a chance of a good life...somethin she's never experienced in Ethiopia.
If you're too poor to feed and raise your child, you give her away, please don't come back years later wanting to reclaim her. That's unfair to the child. Z has bonded with Brad and Angie plus her siblings.
If these countries and religions taught *** education and contraception, many of these rich people wouldn't be over there adopting these children. There are just way too many unplanned children coming into this world with parents who can't even afford to feed them.
@ loonydan & all those in need of a history lesson. I'm so sorry to disappoint you in all that you have been taught. Whites did not steal Africans from Africa. The African tribal leaders sold the unfit Africans and/or the Africans that lost in battle to the Whites and/or any other people that came to Africa. They sold them because they wanted weapons to war with one another, the same thing they are doing now, they have done for years. Duh, it's in our genes, our people enjoy battling one another. Oh but, they, the tribal leaders also wanted riches... so guess what... they did what we do now, sold one another into slavery. Dam, you have to admit we learned from the best.
Now what's happening in Africa currently is a travesty, however, the AFRICANS now are killing one another as they always done. PERIOD!!!
If you are so concerned about whites adopting those kids - what are you doing to help bring them out of poverty. For whatever reason, they are helping... if you don't like stop talking and do something!
Cursing is ignornace- it shows your ignorance---that you are unable to control yourself and have an adult conversation.
I’m calling ***-*** on this one….and it ridiculous. If anything, this is some extortion attempt by some impoverished family that sees Jolie’s finances as a potential gold mine. IF this girl truly had a mother at the time of her adoption, the grandmother and her daughter should have stepped forward then. A DNA test could resolve this issue, but even so, prior to her adoption the child was doomed to die had no one outside of her community intervened. No court anywhere should even consider this allegation….and the lame attempt of the accusers to emphasize “if they had the money” to gain public sympathy exposes their true motives.
Our history as black people in this country say that we were and now are African but now African Americans. If the woman wants to see her child, Angie should be able to accomodate that with the amount of time she's spent in that country and if her intentions are already to supporting Africans. It is no ones right to say that this child should not know who she is and her heritage. No matter how she has helped this child, years down the road this child will be confused and out of place if she is not in some way connected with her African roots. It is easy to put any white person on a high account just because of the stigma they have had around the world, but that child has a rich culture, so why not some sort of contact with her family and native land.
“Duh, it's in our genes, our people enjoy battling one another.”
Wow that has to be the most ignorant statement I ever heard. You sound like white racist saying Blacks are born with violence in them. No matter where there is always going to be separation. From class to hair color people will always find a reason to separate one from another but for you to say the enjoyment of fighting is in our genes is a not well thought out statement. All cultures were biased against one another at a point of time in history and probably still are. It is all about power and greed not about a race being born with VIOLENT GENES. Wow it still shocks me that you even said that.
How would they raise her now? If she truly loved her daughter, she would leave her in a home that is loving, caring and secure. Angie and Brad have made a wonderful home for Zahara and I'm sure her mother is aware of this. Why would she want her daughter to be subjected to a life or loss of life by coming back there. It's obvious that someone is trying to exploit the situation.
I believe this is a lie. But if she does get the child back, the judge should order the mother to pay angelina all the *** money back that it took her to take care of someones elses daughter. im so sick of *** who can't afford kids having *** and then having their child go into the system, and then when they feel they are on their feet, got the *** audacity to ask for their child back after the foster parent has shelved out tons of money and love on this child. bunch of nerves and the laws needs to be changed.
and are they thinking about the child? cause do they really think that child can now go back over there and live a healthy life. just stupids that would be move from a mansion to a *** clay house. sonme mothers can be so selfish. they'd rather disrupt the child's life than to live with the orginal decision they made and move on with their lives.
You have no facts that Africans or African Americans are born violent so you have no right to say something like that. And I am not being touchy I just do not appreciate people generalizing and making false theories when you have no type of adequate evidence other then people fought. Okay so what everybody fights is that enough evidence to say we are born with violent genes? I think not.
As far as Africans or African Americans being born to violence as Cristal says I don't agree with that statement but as for African leaders and tribal leaders selling other Africans into slavery for profit I must agree with strwby_cheesecake her facts on that part of history is correct.
Myline is also correct the child has a right to know and learn about her heritage. Contrary to what we know or see of Africa there are places that are more beautiful than any here in the states and some of the people are rich as well.
It is sad what people will do for profit and it is even worst what the very poor must do to survive. We live in a rich country so we cannot even imagine the situation and lifestyles of a war torn country. I understand the anger of the African people and I understand the sentiments of the American.
I am reading people saying that the child has been on television, in newspapers and mags. Can we take a moment to imagine being so poor that you don't have a television, and cannot afford to buy a newspaper or a magazine so you have not seen your child on any covers of any paper or on the television? It takes money to track down a missing child and they have explain they do not have money.
It would be horrible to separate this child from the only mother she knows Angeline and it would be equally evil to keep her from a mother who is torn over her child. It is a very difficult decision to make to give up ones child. It is hard to understand this if you have never had a child and if you have never been poor.
I am sure that Angeline is a good woman and a good mother and she has done a very noble thing and it would be an even better thing that she would do if she could find someway to keep this family in touch with a child that the mother now moans over. Visits would be a good thing for the child and the mothers so that each could understand and share the other's culture.
It at this time would be hurtful to the child to take her away from her only known lifestyle to one where she will suffer. I am sure her birth mother is a good woman who was trying to do the right thing for her child and I am sure the family would want what is best for the child. All the family is asking is that they be allowed to see the child from time to time and that is not asking too much of a rich woman who travels to that country anyway often. I hope God bless both of these families and grant them wisdom.
I don't think Angie & Brad got Zahara by shady means. I think that they should leave that baby where she is. I mean, I don't know if it should or not, but, it brings up the question of if the mother has ulterior motives. Don't know if its right or not but that was the first thing that popped into my head. They have t.v's in Africa too and Brad and Angie stay on t.v's everyone, so I'm sure they've seen mags and t.v footage of Zahara. I don't know.
Violence is only in people raised in violent communities. People aren't born violent. That's why you see young girls fighting and stabbing each other. Years ago, only boys resorted to this sort of thing. Now, girls are included because they're growing up in violent homes and communities and this is the only way they know how to resolve something.
You can tell the ones who respond by saying "I'd whip her azz" are the ones who are always ready to fight. They know no other solution.
MTO research your sources Ethiopian mother supports Angelina Jolie adoption By *** Tadesse Updated November 18, 2007 Mentewab Dawit - the biological mother of Zahara (Reuters)
AWASA, Ethiopia - The mother of an Ethiopian baby adopted by Angelina Jolie denied on Saturday that she had ever challenged the adoption, and said she was happy her daughter had found a home with the Hollywood star.
In an interview at her tiny home in the southern city of Awasa, Mentwabe Dawit rejected newspaper reports in the United States and Europe this week that she wanted two-year-old Zahara returned to Ethiopia.
Her words had been twisted, she said, by "so-called journalists" who had visited her and claimed to be working for the Oscar-winning actress.
"I have never disputed the adoption," Mentwabe told Reuters. "This was a mistake. It was something I never said."
On Thursday, the Ethiopian agency that arranged the adoption said it was "legal and irrevocable" and that Zahara's grandmother had told an Addis Ababa court her daughter was dead.
Earth-floored house
Speaking on Saturday in her earth-floored house, lit by a single light bulb, Mentwabe said she ran away from her home five months after giving birth because she had no food for her baby.
"I decided to flee rather than watch her die," she said.
Her mother searched for her for months around Awasa, 270 km (170 miles) south of the capital, but eventually concluded that she must have died and put the baby girl up for adoption.
Jolie, who also works as a goodwill ambassador for the U.***. refugee agency UNHCR, adopted her in July 2005. She adopted a Cambodian refugee boy, Maddox, three years earlier.
In Awasa, Mentwabe kissed a picture of the actress.
"This is to show I have no ill feelings towards her," she said. "I think my daughter is a very fortunate human being to be adopted by a world-famous lady. I wish them both all the success they deserve." (Writing by Daniel Wallis)
