Pop star Madonna has left the African nation of Malawi after a court rejected her bid to adopt a young orphan girl.

The singer departed the country on Sunday aboard her private jet, the Associated Press reports. The singer's lawyer has said Madonna will appeal a court ruling that determined she was not eligible to adopt three-year-old Mercy James because she had not lived in Malawi.

Madonna first spotted Mercy during a 2006 visit to the orphanage where she found her adopted son David Banda. Authorities gave that adoption final approval last year.

Last week, Madonna's ex-husband, director Guy Ritchie, spoke to ET about her latest adoption effort. "I fully supported Madonna in her decision to apply for this adoption, and I am saddened that her application has been rejected. She is motivated only by being a caring parent who seeks to share some of the advantages and opportunities that her life has given her."