In re Loraida G.

OPINION OF THE COURT

Vincent J. Reilly, Jr., J.

*127The difficult issue before this court is whether to infer a finding of child neglect solely on the basis of the mother’s mild mental retardation, thereby depriving her of the opportunity to parent her four-month-old child. The issue is raised in the context of a record devoid of any evidence of actual harm or neglectful acts by respondent towards the infant. In fact, respondent mother has at all times cared for the child to the best of her ability. The limitations of mental retardation and whether same, in and of themselves, should result in a…