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 Georgia, child neglect is addressed under the state's child welfare and criminal statutes. According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) § 19-7-5, child neglect occurs when a parent or guardian fails to provide adequate care, supervision, and necessities such as food, shelter, medical care, and education for a child. This can also include allowing a child to be placed in dangerous or harmful situations. The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) is responsible for investigating reports of child neglect and can intervene to protect the child's welfare. Neglect can lead to intervention by child protective services, loss of custody, and potential criminal charges. Criminal charges for child neglect fall under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-70, which defines cruelty to children and can result in misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the severity of the neglect. The courts in Georgia take allegations of child neglect seriously and prioritize the health and safety of the child in such cases.