That's horrible! I hate stories like that. It must have been devastating for everyone concerned, except the mother, that is. She gets to go through life totally oblivious to the pain she's causing everyone else.
It's that child who suffers the most, though. (I know of a similar situation in my own circle of acquaintences). Some women just don't realize what they're doing to their kid's psychological development when they mess with their heads like this, acting out their own 'issues.' It's this kind of stuff that leads to personality disorders in the first place.
Sometimes I wonder if we shouldn't make people have a license to raise children.
So true - everyone suffered but that selfish woman. My friend's mom had hand sewn, smocked, and embroidered many of her granddaughter's baby clothes. She was so attached to the child, I don't think she is over the loss yet - and it's been at least ten years since they lost her.
I hope you weren't thinking 'government'