Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Latasha Cheree Neal, aged 35, is facing charges of two counts of child neglect with severe bodily harm after allegedly neglecting to address her twins’ serious skin conditions for more than a year.

The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ASO) was notified of the situation by the Gainesville Child Protection Team following a medical examination of the three-year-old twins on September 13, 2025. According to the arrest report, Neal only sought medical attention for the children once the Department of Children and Families intervened.

The twins were initially seen by a physician in March 2024 and diagnosed with severe eczema. They were referred to a dermatologist, with an immediate appointment scheduled. However, Neal allegedly failed to attend this appointment and did not make arrangements to reschedule it.

An ASO detective learned from a doctor that the eczema has now spread across both children’s bodies, leading to blistering and bleeding; their skin is deteriorating, with potential changes in skin pigment for at least one child, and there will be lasting scarring. Both children are reported to have facial infections. The doctor noted that the condition, when first diagnosed, could have been managed effectively and would not have escalated to such a severe state if treated properly. The doctor also mentioned that these are the most extreme eczema cases she has encountered.

During an interview on October 3, Neal was asked if she knew the reason for her presence. She reportedly responded, “Because someone called DCF on me.” She claimed she was obtaining prescription creams monthly for the children’s care from the UF Health Family Medicine practice on NE Waldo Road and acknowledged forgetting the dermatologist appointment without making new arrangements.

The detective stated that medical personnel reviewed the children’s records, concluding that Neal had neither acquired the prescription creams for her children nor taken them to any medical appointments until the involvement of the DCF.

The detective concluded that Neal had willfully refused to provide her children with medical treatment that was considered to be essential for their well-being, leading to discomfort, infections, skin changes, permanent scarring, and disfigurement from a condition that is routinely treated.

Neal has been charged with two counts of child neglect with great bodily harm. She has three misdemeanor convictions (non-violent). Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $40,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.