DURHAM, Justice:
This is an appeal from a juvenile court order restoring custody of A.H., a minor, to defendants Mr. and Mrs. H., under the [285]*285continued protective supervision of the Utah State Department of Social Services, Division of Family Services (“DFS”). A prior order had taken custody of A.H. away from Mr. and Mrs. H., her prospective adoptive parents, and placed custody with DFS pending a hearing on a petition alleging mistreatment and neglect by Mrs. H.
Appellant DFS argues that the juvenile court incorrectly applied the statutory standard applicable to the termination of parental rights when it ordered that A.H. be returned to the custody of the prospective adoptive parents. DFS further argues that restoring custody of the child to the H.s was not in the best interests of the child. We agree.
A.H. was born in El Salvador in April of 1976. She came to the United States for adoptive placement when she was five years two months old. A.H. joined the H.s’ two natural children and two adopted children in their southern Utah home in June 1981. After approximately six months of temporary custody, the H.s filed a petition for adoption of A.H. on January 5, 1982.
A.H. suffered from a variety of maladies when she arrived in the H.s’ home, including intestinal parasites, scarring of the retinas caused by infection, alleged difficulty in swallowing and digesting foods, impaired motor coordination, and a congenital chest deformity. .
On April 16, 1982, A.H. was hospitalized, comatose, for a subdural hematoma (severe brain concussion) that threatened her life. Immediate surgery was required and performed. The admitting pediatrician, Dr. Piper, noted that in addition to the brain concussion, A.H. had multiple small bruises on the scalp in varied stages of healing, large bruises on her lower back and buttocks, a large bruise in her groin area, multiple bruises over her extremities, and severe lacerations on the tops of both feet. Dr. Piper suspected child abuse from the numerous bruises on her body. The surgeon agreed and reported that “whenever an acute subdural hematoma occurs in a child without adequate explanation it is almost always related to non-accidental trauma or abusive conduct.” On May 17,1982, A.H. was transferred to Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City for further testing and treatment. The evidence also indicates that since A.H. left the H.s’ home she has improved, without incident or further injury, and has bonded well with her foster parents. Despite this progress, Dr. Nilsson, a clinical psychologist, doubted that she will ever function above a “ ‘mentally deficient’ level” as a result of her injuries.
The H.s offered explanations to DFS for almost all of A.H.’s injuries. They said that A.H. fell while bathing and struck her head two weeks before the hospitalization, but that she had exhibited no signs of serious injury at the time. Two weeks later, Mrs. H. heard a thump, went into A.H.’s room, and found A.H. unconscious and not breathing. Mrs. H. began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and called for an ambulance. The bruise to the groin was explained as resulting from a mishap on a swing glider that caused A.H. to straddle a bar incorrectly. The bruises to the back were explained as having occurred when A.H. tipped off of a tricycle backwards. The lacerations on the feet were said to have occurred when cement blocks supporting a teeter-totter fell on A.H.’s feet while she was playing with other children. The H.s also stated that A.H. had poor coordination, that she fell often, and that she bruised easily because of her prior medical history.
Despite these explanations, DFS filed a petition for protective custody on May 28, 1982, alleging that A.H. was a neglected child as defined in U.C.A., 1953, § 78-3a-2(17). The court awarded custody to DFS pending the determination of jurisdiction and ordered the H.s to pay for A.H.’s support during foster care. The court found jurisdiction based upon an admission of neglect by Mrs. H. At first, the court informed the parties that it would not accept an admission of neglect without the factual basis to support it. However, neither the State nor Mrs. H. offered any evidence in addition to the medical reports and other [286]*286materials already before the court. The court then reluctantly accepted the admission.
The court found that the causes of A.H.’s injuries were inaction on the part of Mrs. H., her failure to seek medical attention generally and particularly for the head injury sustained April 4, 1982, as well as failure to protect the child following the injury “with knowledge of the child’s propensities to accidental [sic] and self-injury as a result of which the child sustained further injury to her head on April 16th resulting in subdural hematoma.” The court concluded that the best interests of the child warranted continued temporary custody by DFS.
On June 8, 1983, DFS filed a petition alleging that further mistreatment and abuse had occurred during a visit with A.H. After a hearing, the court ordered that petition dismissed. On July 5, 1983, the H.s filed a petition for return of custody. Prior to a hearing on the petition, the court ordered psychological profiles of the H.s. The juvenile court held a hearing on the H.s’ petition, and on August 23, 1983, the court issued its decision. The judge found that the psychological profile of the H.s “indicates that they have personality characteristics well within normal limits with no pathological characteristics present which would make them unfit parents to care for and raise ... [A.H.].” The court also found that A.H.’s special education needs could be met in San Juan County, and the court ordered the return of custody to the H.s. The State appealed that decision, and this Court granted a temporary stay pending the appeal.
Juvenile court determinations regarding the custody of children are equitable in nature, and this Court is charged with the responsibility of reviewing the evidence. See Wilson v. Family Services Division, Utah, 554 P.2d 227, 230 (1976). Ordinarily, we will not overturn the findings and decisions of the juvenile court “unless they are clearly against the weight of the evidence, or it is plainly manifest that the court has abused its discretion.” State ex rel. F.D.P. v. Dade, 14 Utah 47, 51-52, 376 P.2d 948, 951 (1962). However, this Court has recognized that in equitable proceedings we must do our own weighing and make our own decision based on the facts in the record. D.P. v. Social Service & Child Welfare Department, 19 Utah 2d 311, 321, 431 P.2d 547, 553 (1967).
DFS argues on appeal that the H.s have no standing to petition the juvenile court for restoration of custody under U.C.A., 1953, § 78-3a-47. We disagree. That statute, formerly codified as U.C.A., 1953, § 55-10-108, “does not apply until there has been a final determination and decree of custody.” State ex rel. Tom v. Tom, Utah, 556 P.2d 213, 215 (1976) (emphasis added). Prior to the H.s’ petition for restoration of custody, the juvenile court in this case had not made a final determination and decree of custody.
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DURHAM, Justice:
This is an appeal from a juvenile court order restoring custody of A.H., a minor, to defendants Mr. and Mrs. H., under the [285]*285continued protective supervision of the Utah State Department of Social Services, Division of Family Services (“DFS”). A prior order had taken custody of A.H. away from Mr. and Mrs. H., her prospective adoptive parents, and placed custody with DFS pending a hearing on a petition alleging mistreatment and neglect by Mrs. H.
Appellant DFS argues that the juvenile court incorrectly applied the statutory standard applicable to the termination of parental rights when it ordered that A.H. be returned to the custody of the prospective adoptive parents. DFS further argues that restoring custody of the child to the H.s was not in the best interests of the child. We agree.
A.H. was born in El Salvador in April of 1976. She came to the United States for adoptive placement when she was five years two months old. A.H. joined the H.s’ two natural children and two adopted children in their southern Utah home in June 1981. After approximately six months of temporary custody, the H.s filed a petition for adoption of A.H. on January 5, 1982.
A.H. suffered from a variety of maladies when she arrived in the H.s’ home, including intestinal parasites, scarring of the retinas caused by infection, alleged difficulty in swallowing and digesting foods, impaired motor coordination, and a congenital chest deformity. .
On April 16, 1982, A.H. was hospitalized, comatose, for a subdural hematoma (severe brain concussion) that threatened her life. Immediate surgery was required and performed. The admitting pediatrician, Dr. Piper, noted that in addition to the brain concussion, A.H. had multiple small bruises on the scalp in varied stages of healing, large bruises on her lower back and buttocks, a large bruise in her groin area, multiple bruises over her extremities, and severe lacerations on the tops of both feet. Dr. Piper suspected child abuse from the numerous bruises on her body. The surgeon agreed and reported that “whenever an acute subdural hematoma occurs in a child without adequate explanation it is almost always related to non-accidental trauma or abusive conduct.” On May 17,1982, A.H. was transferred to Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City for further testing and treatment. The evidence also indicates that since A.H. left the H.s’ home she has improved, without incident or further injury, and has bonded well with her foster parents. Despite this progress, Dr. Nilsson, a clinical psychologist, doubted that she will ever function above a “ ‘mentally deficient’ level” as a result of her injuries.
The H.s offered explanations to DFS for almost all of A.H.’s injuries. They said that A.H. fell while bathing and struck her head two weeks before the hospitalization, but that she had exhibited no signs of serious injury at the time. Two weeks later, Mrs. H. heard a thump, went into A.H.’s room, and found A.H. unconscious and not breathing. Mrs. H. began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and called for an ambulance. The bruise to the groin was explained as resulting from a mishap on a swing glider that caused A.H. to straddle a bar incorrectly. The bruises to the back were explained as having occurred when A.H. tipped off of a tricycle backwards. The lacerations on the feet were said to have occurred when cement blocks supporting a teeter-totter fell on A.H.’s feet while she was playing with other children. The H.s also stated that A.H. had poor coordination, that she fell often, and that she bruised easily because of her prior medical history.
Despite these explanations, DFS filed a petition for protective custody on May 28, 1982, alleging that A.H. was a neglected child as defined in U.C.A., 1953, § 78-3a-2(17). The court awarded custody to DFS pending the determination of jurisdiction and ordered the H.s to pay for A.H.’s support during foster care. The court found jurisdiction based upon an admission of neglect by Mrs. H. At first, the court informed the parties that it would not accept an admission of neglect without the factual basis to support it. However, neither the State nor Mrs. H. offered any evidence in addition to the medical reports and other [286]*286materials already before the court. The court then reluctantly accepted the admission.
The court found that the causes of A.H.’s injuries were inaction on the part of Mrs. H., her failure to seek medical attention generally and particularly for the head injury sustained April 4, 1982, as well as failure to protect the child following the injury “with knowledge of the child’s propensities to accidental [sic] and self-injury as a result of which the child sustained further injury to her head on April 16th resulting in subdural hematoma.” The court concluded that the best interests of the child warranted continued temporary custody by DFS.
On June 8, 1983, DFS filed a petition alleging that further mistreatment and abuse had occurred during a visit with A.H. After a hearing, the court ordered that petition dismissed. On July 5, 1983, the H.s filed a petition for return of custody. Prior to a hearing on the petition, the court ordered psychological profiles of the H.s. The juvenile court held a hearing on the H.s’ petition, and on August 23, 1983, the court issued its decision. The judge found that the psychological profile of the H.s “indicates that they have personality characteristics well within normal limits with no pathological characteristics present which would make them unfit parents to care for and raise ... [A.H.].” The court also found that A.H.’s special education needs could be met in San Juan County, and the court ordered the return of custody to the H.s. The State appealed that decision, and this Court granted a temporary stay pending the appeal.
Juvenile court determinations regarding the custody of children are equitable in nature, and this Court is charged with the responsibility of reviewing the evidence. See Wilson v. Family Services Division, Utah, 554 P.2d 227, 230 (1976). Ordinarily, we will not overturn the findings and decisions of the juvenile court “unless they are clearly against the weight of the evidence, or it is plainly manifest that the court has abused its discretion.” State ex rel. F.D.P. v. Dade, 14 Utah 47, 51-52, 376 P.2d 948, 951 (1962). However, this Court has recognized that in equitable proceedings we must do our own weighing and make our own decision based on the facts in the record. D.P. v. Social Service & Child Welfare Department, 19 Utah 2d 311, 321, 431 P.2d 547, 553 (1967).
DFS argues on appeal that the H.s have no standing to petition the juvenile court for restoration of custody under U.C.A., 1953, § 78-3a-47. We disagree. That statute, formerly codified as U.C.A., 1953, § 55-10-108, “does not apply until there has been a final determination and decree of custody.” State ex rel. Tom v. Tom, Utah, 556 P.2d 213, 215 (1976) (emphasis added). Prior to the H.s’ petition for restoration of custody, the juvenile court in this case had not made a final determination and decree of custody. The court had merely placed temporary custody with DFS subject to further court order pending further development of the facts.
Traditional standing criteria require that the interests of the parties be adverse and that the party “seeking relief have a legally protectible interest in the controversy.” Kennecott Corp. v. Salt Lake County, Utah, 702 P.2d 451, 454 (1985) (citation omitted). Although parents are the only persons with a legally vested interest in the custody of a child, Wilson v. Family Services Division, 554 P.2d at 229, a child’s prospective adoptive parents do have a legally protectible interest. Although the H.s may not be legally entitled to permanent custody prior to finalization of an adoption petition, the actions of the juvenile court could effectively foreclose the possibility of adoption for them. Therefore, having filed a petition for the adoption of A.H. and having been ordered by the court to pay for her expenses, the H.s have a legal interest sufficient to confer standing to petition for restoration of custody. Accord In re Joseph, R.I., 420 A.2d 85, 89 (1980) (prospective adoptive parents have standing since removal of child could result in “injury in fact”).
[287]*287The next issue is whether the juvenile court erred in determining the issue of A.H.’s custody utilizing the standards for termination of parental rights. The termination of parental rights is a drastic measure that should be resorted to only in extreme cases, when it is clear that the home is unable or unwilling to correct the evils that exist. State ex rel. Pilling v. Lance, 23 Utah 2d 407, 409, 464 P.2d 395, 397 (1970). “There is a presumption that it is generally for the best interest and welfare of children to be reared under the care of their natural parents.” Id. at 410, 464 P.2d at 397. The termination of parental rights is not permitted solely upon a finding of the best interests of the child without a finding of parental unfitness, abandonment, or substantial neglect. In re J.P., Utah, 648 P.2d 1364, 1374-77 (1982). Section 78-3a-48 of the Utah Code requires compliance with those standards in order to protect parents’ constitutional rights to raise their own children. See In re J.P., 648 P.2d at 1377-78. In addition, due process concerns require the state to prove allegations by clear and convincing evidence. Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745, 768-69, 102 S.Ct. 1388, 1402-03, 71 L.Ed.2d 599 (1982).
The juvenile court’s findings of fact and order in this matter indicate that the court incorrectly applied a standard which has application only to proceedings for the termination of parental rights. The court carefully examined the evidence and testimony for unfitness, incompetency, or substantial continuous neglect. The findings of fact in the order returning custody directly refer to the fitness and competence of the H.s. In addition, the court found that the “neglect of [A.H.] ... did not justify permanent termination of their parental rights.” (Emphasis added.)
The rules governing the termination of parental rights, however, are not applicable here since the H.s are the prospective adoptive parents and not the legal parents of A.H. No statute provides guidance in defining the standard to be applied to deprive prospective adoptive parents of custody of a prospective adoptive child. We must rely, rather, on equitable principles and a concern for the best interests and welfare of the child. See In re J.P., 648 P.2d at 1377. See also U.C.A., 1953, § 78-3a-39(12) (“In placing a child under the guardianship or legal custody of an individual ... the court shall give primary consideration to the welfare of the child_”). To protect the investments in time, affection, and money by prospective adoptive parents, we hold that returning custody to prospective adoptive parents may be prevented only upon a showing of good cause and a finding that denial of custody is in the best interests of the child.
We believe the evidence in this case meets the foregoing requirement. Mrs. H. has admitted to neglecting A.H. The findings of the juvenile court establish conclusively that the cause of A.H.’s injuries was the neglect and inaction of the persons responsible for her care. There is no conflict in the evidence contained in the numerous, detailed, and lengthy medical reports, illustrated by contemporaneous photographs, of the condition of A.H. when she was admitted for emergency medical treatment. There is no conflict in the evidence which establishes that because of the injuries sustained by this child as a result of the neglect of her caretakers, A.H. is permanently and severely impaired (far beyond the handicaps she had upon her arrival in the H. home) in her intellectual capacity and physical development. The surgeon in Colorado, after detailing the appearance and extent of A.H.’s injuries, exclusive of the head injury for which she was admitted for treatment, wrote: “I have absolutely no reservation about calling these wounds severely traumatic, repeated in multiple [sic] and probably occurring over a long time chronologically.” All of the other medical and physical evidence in the record substantiates that description. Even accepting as absolutely accurate the explanations offered by Mr. and Mrs. H. for each and every one of these numerous, severe, and painful injuries, we are unable to identify any acceptable explanation for the fact that able, intelligent people would permit [288]*288the occurrence of such massive damage as that which was visible on the person of A.H. at the time of her hospital admission. The absence of reasonable explanation is underscored by the fact, clearly demonstrated in the record, that A.H., despite her now much exacerbated disabilities, has thrived and has suffered no similar injuries in the care of her foster parents during this litigation.
We believe that the evidence in this case showed good cause and that it was in the best interest of A.H. to deny the petition to return custody of A.H. to the H.s at the time of the hearing on the petition. The time, effort, and money invested by the H.s as prospective adoptive parents, while substantial, are not sufficient to outweigh the need to protect the best interests of A.H.
The order of the juvenile court is reversed, with temporary custody of A.H. to remain with DFS pending further proceedings.1 No costs awarded.
HALL, C.J., and ZIMMERMAN, J., concur.