Child neglect is the failure of a parent or other person with responsibility for the child to provide the food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education, and supervision necessary for the child's health, safety, and well-being. Placing the child in physically or emotionally harmful situations is also child neglect. Courts take child neglect seriously, and a parent or other person with custody of the child who is guilty of child neglect may lose custody of the child, and may face criminal charges.

In Alabama, child neglect is addressed under the state's child welfare statutes and criminal laws. Child neglect is defined as the failure of a parent or guardian to provide for a child's basic needs, which include food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education, and proper supervision. This also encompasses the obligation to protect the child from physically or emotionally harmful situations. Alabama courts prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of children in these cases. If a parent or guardian is found guilty of child neglect, they may face significant consequences, including the loss of custody and potential criminal charges. The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) is typically involved in cases of child neglect, and they have the authority to remove a child from a neglectful environment to ensure their safety. Criminal charges for child neglect can range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the severity of the neglect and the harm caused to the child.