sometimes mother's need some human intervention to teach them and encourage them with new babies. My Vixen was refused by her mother. If it was for the intervention of the owner and some not so gentle encouragement she wouldn't be here today. The mom cat buried her in the blanket he had her in and refused to feed her. Sometimes the momma cats just don't know what to do and they are too scared. They maybe young mothers or sometimes they will refuse the baby if there is something wrong with it. I am sorry for the lose of the kitten. Poor little angel. How old is the mother cat? You really should consider getting her spayed and keeping her indoors as everytime a cat goes into heat and/or has kitten it increases her chances of developing cancer. Please consider it.