A custody and placement evaluation of an infant with a psychotic, mentally retarded mother.

An emergency evaluation was requested on a 16-week-old infant and her parents. The child's mother had a long history of schizophrenia and mental retardation and was noted to decompensate following the child's birth; the mother was hospitalized and the child placed in foster care. Although the mother was severely impaired, the family had a reasonable and appropriate plan for the infant's care and reunification of the family was recommended. Aspects of custody and placement recommendations, the risk of the child for subsequent disorder, and legal issues involved in the evaluation are discussed.