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 California, child neglect is addressed under various statutes that define it 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 supervision. This also encompasses the responsibility to protect the child from physically or emotionally harmful situations. Child neglect is considered a form of child abuse under California law, specifically under the California Penal Code Section 11165.2 and the Welfare and Institutions Code Section 300. Courts in California take allegations of child neglect seriously and can impose a range of consequences. These may include the loss of custody or visitation rights, and in severe cases, criminal charges can be filed, potentially leading to imprisonment and fines. The state's child welfare services may also intervene, and the Department of Social Services can place the child in protective custody if necessary. The severity of the legal consequences typically depends on the extent of the neglect and the harm caused to the child.