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 Oregon, child neglect is addressed under state statutes that define it as the failure of a parent or guardian to provide necessary care, including food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education, and supervision, for a child's well-being. Oregon law considers the physical, emotional, and developmental needs of the child, and neglect can also include placing the child in harmful situations. Child neglect is taken seriously by the courts and can result in changes to custody arrangements and potential criminal charges. The Department of Human Services (DHS) in Oregon plays a key role in investigating reports of child neglect and taking appropriate action, which may include working with the family to improve conditions or, in severe cases, placing the child in alternative care. Criminal charges for child neglect can lead to penalties such as fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the neglect and the harm to the child.