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 Iowa, child neglect is addressed under the state's child welfare and criminal statutes. According to Iowa Code Section 232.2(6), child neglect, also referred to as 'denial of critical care,' occurs when a parent or guardian fails to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing, or other care necessary for a child's well-being, which may include medical or mental health care, or fails to protect the child from conditions or actions that substantially threaten the child's health or welfare. This definition also encompasses the failure to provide proper supervision or education as required by law. When neglect is suspected, it can lead to intervention by the Iowa Department of Human Services, which may include the development of a case plan, services to the family, or removal of the child from the home in severe cases. Additionally, under Iowa Code Section 726.6, child neglect can result in criminal charges ranging from misdemeanor to felony, depending on the severity and circumstances of the neglect. Penalties can include fines, imprisonment, and the potential loss of custody rights. Courts in Iowa prioritize the health and safety of the child and may modify custody arrangements if neglect is proven.