GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Latasha Cheree Neal, 36, was arrested Wednesday on two counts of child neglect causing great bodily harm after authorities said she failed to obtain medical care for her children’s serious skin conditions. Neal had previously been sentenced to four years of probation on the same charges following an October 2025 arrest.
According to an Alachua County Sheriff’s deputy, Neal’s probation terms require her to take her children to all yearly medical visits and any necessary follow-up appointments. The Department of Children and Families opened a new investigation after both children were again reported to be suffering from severe eczema.
Investigators said the children received monthly care from a dermatology office while Neal was in the Alachua County Jail between her arrest and plea agreement. During that time, they were prescribed a medication given once a month. Authorities reported that a two-month supply is mailed at no cost, but the children’s caregiver is responsible for arranging refills.
The children reportedly “showed tremendous improvement” during Neal’s time in custody. After her release, however, investigators said she did not refill the prescriptions or bring the children to their recommended monthly dermatologist appointments. Without continued treatment, their eczema allegedly deteriorated to the same severe level documented at the time of Neal’s 2025 arrest.
Authorities said both children are expected to have permanent scarring across large portions of their bodies because of blistering and bleeding linked to the untreated eczema. A doctor reportedly described the condition as “extremely uncomfortable” for the children but emphasized that the eczema is “completely treatable” and would not have become so severe with consistent care. The physician also said it was the worst case of eczema she had ever seen.
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Post Miranda, Neal reportedly said she had been giving the children their medication since she was released from jail in February; however, the deputy noted that the prescription had not been filled since March. Neal reportedly said she has consistently applied hydrocortisone cream to both children.
The deputy asked Neal why she had neglected to provide proper medical care for her children over the past seven months, resulting in a substantial increase in the severity of their conditions, and she reportedly did not answer. Neal was reportedly adamant that she cares for her children, but when the deputy asked again why she had not provided proper medical treatment, she again did not answer.
Neal reportedly stated repeatedly that she had administered the children’s medication, but the deputy said this was not true because the prescription had not been filled. Neal reportedly said the children’s outbreaks could be from excessive mold and roaches in her residence, or they could be allergy-induced.
At the conclusion of the interview, Neal was arrested, and she has been charged with two counts of child neglect with great bodily harm and two counts of violation of probation. She has three misdemeanor convictions (non-violent), and Judge James Colaw withheld adjudication of guilt on the previous two child neglect felonies. Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $30,000.