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 Oklahoma, child neglect is defined under state statutes as the willful or negligent failure or omission by a parent or guardian to provide a child with the necessities for his or her well-being, such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision to the degree that the child's health or safety is endangered. Oklahoma law also considers the exposure of a child to an environment that is harmful to the child's physical, mental, or emotional health as neglect. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) is typically involved in cases of suspected child neglect, and they have the authority to investigate and intervene in such cases. 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 is a criminal offense in Oklahoma, and individuals found guilty of neglect can face criminal charges and penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The severity of the charges and penalties often depends on the circumstances and the degree of harm or risk to the child.