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Madonna has been maximizing her time spent in L.A. by making multiple trips to the Kabbalah Centre, family in tow, for various Purim celebrations and lectures about the latest hi-tech advancements in evil-eye-warding fabrics. But paparazzi captured the singer driving off from once such visits with recently absconded Malawian demi-orphan David Banda seated in her lap, and not safely secured in a rear-facing car seat, putting her in the same, baby-endangering league as Britney Spears:

The 48-year-old and husband GUY RITCHIE loaded their three children into their Escalade after 2 March (07) services at the Kabbalah Centre in Los Angeles, but baby David was not properly restrained. A witness tells American publication Us Weekly, "There was no car seat. (Madonna) sat in the middle row, and they left with David on her lap." The following day (03MAR07), Madonna allegedly defied the law by once again by sitting in the middle of the vehicle with six-year-old son ROCCO not properly secured. A representative for the singer slams the claims, saying, "Proper security measures are always taken for Madonna's children."

We can't help but be mildly disappointed in the three-time mom, who should know better than to flout California's child safety seat laws (as of Jan. 1, 2002, "Children MUST be secured in an appropriate child passenger restraint until they are at least 6 years old or weigh at least 60 pounds"). Malawian interim custody judicial review boards are unlikely to be swayed by arguments that David's welfare was justifiably compromised in order to more quickly escape from the gathered paparazzi, regardless of how many Guardian-Angel-scented candles Madonna may have just purchased in the Kabbalah Centre gift shop.