Iowa legal term
Neglect in Iowa Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Iowa legislative session
In Iowa criminal law, “Neglect” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Iowa criminal code.
What does “Neglect” mean in Iowa criminal law?
“Neglect” means the failure of a caregiver or fiduciary to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing, supervision, physical or mental health care, and goods or services necessary to maintain the life, health, or safety of an older individual, which if not provided would constitute denial of critical care. h. “Older individual” means a person sixty years of age or older who is unable to protect himself or herself from elder abuse as a result of a mental or physical condition or because of a personal circumstance which results in an increased risk of harm to the person. i. “Older individual assau (Iowa Code § 726.24)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.