Child abuse issues carry more weight in court, partly because investigators can more easily define them and describe their effects. Child neglect is less readily recognized but still considered critical, and the result may be that a child receives treatment for physical and sexual abuse but little or no attention for symptoms of neglect. The outlook for neglected children, however, is not uniformly grim. Some research indicates that the majority of neglected children do not become delinquent, criminal, or violent and that many previously neglected children manage quite well. Of factors mitigating the consequences of profound neglect, the important seems to be the presence of an attentive person who takes a genuine interest in the child. Child neglect is psychologically, socially, medically, and financially costly, and fortunately some early intervention programs are being initiated to deal with the problem. Forms of child neglect are described, documentation and court presentation of child neglect is discussed, and guidelines for the treatment of neglected children and neglectful parents are offered. 50 references