Should a parent who allows child abuse retain custody rights of the child?

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I was watching a program about a child who was abused and isolated for 13 years. She is called "Genie", and she was so deprived of human contact that she could not speak. Her mother, who was practically blind, claimed that she was also a victim of the abuse so her daughter's severe isolation, physical abuse, and malnourishment were not her fault. Upon Genie's release, she worked with neuroscientist and linguists to find the extent of her speech capabilities, and to try to teach her language and communication skills. She was a ward of the state, and often was foster parented by the researchers who worked with her on her language skills. Genie's mother had the charges of abuse against her dropped, as she claims she was also a victim of her husband. She very briefly took Genie in again, but could not handle the demands of such a special needs child, and Genie again became a ward of the state. But then Genie's mother SUED the researchers who were helping Genie learn to speak! [i]"In 1979, Wiley filed a lawsuit against the hospital and her daughter's individual caregivers, alleging they used Genie for "prestige and profit." The suit was settled in 1984, but the rancor deepened. Curtiss, who had continued to work with Genie on a volunteer basis, was banned from visiting her. Meanwhile, the Riglers reconnected with Irene Wiley." [/i] I found this incredibly disgusting. There may be an argument that the researchers were only helping Genie because of the huge opportunity to study language and neurofunctions, but what kind of say can her mother really have in it? And ultimately, her lawsuit cut off Genie from the people who were helping her, regardless of their intentions. There is more information about this particular case here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genie_(feral_child) I know this is an extreme case, but what stance do you take on this TYPE of situation? If a parent allows their child to be abused and mistreated, even if they are not the abuser, should they retain rights regarding the child's well-being?