A patient who had a taumatic brain injury when she was 2 (she was thrown from a car), is now in her 20's and has a child who is a year old. The baby was taken away by Child Protective Services several months ago due to neglect (i.e., she didn't feed the baby for days other than water, didn't change the baby, rode her bike with the baby strapped on in an infant carrier or in a backpack, etc.). Both the primary care physician and the neuropsychologist have stated that she lacks "executive functioning skills" (problem solving and reasoning). It is mostly right brain involvement. She is completely oblivious to her deficits and does not recognize when there is a problem (as if she were in danger--the mother has been assaulted repeatedly, or the child needed medical attention).
Are there any guidelines as to the minimum standard required to be a parent? Her attorney is arguing that the baby was not ever truly harmed. I fear that if the child is returned she will not make it. Thank you very much for your help.