Abused Boy's Mother Said to Want Custody

Abused Boy's Mother Said to Want Custody

LEAD: The biological mother of Mitchell Steinberg, the 16-month-old boy found in the same Greenwich Village apartment where the police say Lisa Steinberg was beaten to death, is expected to seek custody of the boy today, according to a lawyer in the case.

The biological mother of Mitchell Steinberg, the 16-month-old boy found in the same Greenwich Village apartment where the police say Lisa Steinberg was beaten to death, is expected to seek custody of the boy today, according to a lawyer in the case.

The lawyer, David Lansner, said last night that the biological mother, a 17-year-old Long Island woman who has not been identified, is expected to ask for custody of Mitchell at a hearing today before Judge Jeffry H. Gallet of Family Court.

Mr. Lansner represents Hedda Nussbaum, 45, who is seeking to retain custody of the boy. Miss Nussbaum and Joel B. Steinberg, 46, who raised Mitchell, are charged with murder in the death of Lisa, whose given name is Elizabeth, two weeks ago and of neglecting Mitchell.

Mr. Lansner said he would bring to today's hearing evidence that the biological mother had relinquished her parental rights when she gave the boy up for adoption.

Neither the biological mother nor her lawyer, could be reached last night for comment on Mr. Lansner's assertions.