diff --git a/arrow/array/data.go b/arrow/array/data.go
index 62284b39..6dafd8a9 100644
--- a/arrow/array/data.go
+++ b/arrow/array/data.go
@@ -147,7 +147,9 @@ func (d *Data) Release() {
 		}
 
 		for _, b := range d.childData {
-			b.Release()
+			if b != nil {
+				b.Release()
+			}
 		}
 
 		if d.dictionary != nil {
diff --git a/arrow/array/data_test.go b/arrow/array/data_test.go
index adc91a82..0a08c787 100644
--- a/arrow/array/data_test.go
+++ b/arrow/array/data_test.go
@@ -136,3 +136,22 @@ func TestSizeInBytes(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	})
 }
+
+func TestDataReleaseWithNilChildData(t *testing.T) {
+	mem := memory.NewCheckedAllocator(memory.DefaultAllocator)
+	defer mem.AssertSize(t, 0)
+
+	// Create a Data object that simulates the state after a failed concatenation
+	// where childData slice is allocated but contains nil elements
+	buffers := []*memory.Buffer{memory.NewBufferBytes([]byte("test-buffer"))}
+	data := NewData(arrow.ListOf(arrow.PrimitiveTypes.Int32), 1, buffers, nil, 0, 0)
+
+	// Simulate the scenario where childData is allocated but elements remain nil
+	// This happens in concat.go when childData is allocated but concat() fails
+	data.childData = make([]arrow.ArrayData, 1)
+	// data.childData[0] remains nil (simulating failed concat)
+
+	assert.NotPanics(t, func() {
+		data.Release()
+	}, "Release() should not panic when childData contains nil elements")
+}