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Last Updated: Jan 27, 2015 | By Marcy Brinkley

Texas laws on child neglect apply to civil and criminal cases. Photo Credit Child image by Serenitie from Fotolia.com

The Texas Family Code, beginning with Chapter 261, defines the term child neglect and sets forth the steps the state must take to protect neglected children. The Texas Penal Code, including portions of Chapters 21, 22 and 43, lists the elements of criminal child neglect and the penalties for persons found guilty of these crimes.

The Texas Family Code, Chapter 261, lists the acts or omissions that may constitute child neglect: abandoning a child in a situation where the child would be exposed to a substantial risk of physical or mental harm; placing a child in or failing to remove a child from a potentially harmful situation; failing to obtain medical care in a situation in which the result may be death or injury; or failing to provide the child with food, clothing or shelter. Failing to assume parental responsibility refusing to allow a child to return home after running away or when released from residential care may also constitute neglect.