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 Indiana, child neglect is addressed under the state's child welfare and criminal statutes. Indiana Code (IC 31-34-1-1) defines a child as neglected if the child's physical or mental condition is seriously endangered due to the refusal or inability of the child's parent, guardian, or custodian to supply the child with necessary food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education, or supervision. This also includes situations where the child is placed in conditions that could harm the child's health or safety. When neglect is suspected, it is typically reported to the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS), which investigates the allegations. If neglect is substantiated, the DCS can intervene, which may result in the child being removed from the home and placed in foster care or with a relative. In severe cases, the parent or guardian may face criminal charges under Indiana Code (IC 35-46-1-4), which can include misdemeanor or felony charges depending on the circumstances and severity of the neglect. The courts prioritize the child's well-being and may adjust custody arrangements to protect the child. Parents or guardians found guilty of neglect may be required to participate in services or programs aimed at remediation, and they risk losing custody if they fail to comply with court orders or if the child's safety cannot be ensured in their care.