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 Kentucky, child neglect is defined as the failure of a parent or guardian to provide necessary food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education, and supervision to ensure a child's health, safety, and well-being. This also includes exposing the child to physically or emotionally harmful situations. Kentucky law takes allegations of child neglect seriously. The state's statutes outline the responsibilities of parents and guardians and the consequences of failing to meet these responsibilities. When neglect is suspected, it can be reported to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, which will investigate the matter. If neglect is substantiated, the parent or guardian may face a range of consequences, including the loss of custody of the child. Additionally, child neglect can result in criminal charges, which may lead to fines, imprisonment, or both. The specific statutes governing child neglect in Kentucky can be found in the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS), particularly in chapters related to child welfare, protection, and safety.