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 Maryland, child neglect is defined as the willful failure to provide necessary care and protection for a child, including food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education, and supervision, which are essential for the child's physical and emotional well-being. Maryland law considers child neglect a form of child abuse, and it is addressed under the Family Law Article of the Maryland Code. The state's Child Protective Services (CPS), within the Department of Human Services, is responsible for investigating reports of child neglect. If neglect is substantiated, CPS can implement a plan to ensure the child's safety, which may include services to the family or placing the child in foster care. In severe cases, the neglectful parent or guardian may face criminal charges, which can result in fines, imprisonment, or both. Additionally, the court may modify or terminate parental rights if it is in the best interest of the child. The legal consequences of child neglect in Maryland underscore the state's commitment to protecting the welfare of children.