What does 'unsubstantiated' mean in maltreatment determinations?

• A. Not proven.
• B. Maltreatment proven.
• C. Investigation ongoing.
• D. False report.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how maltreatment determinations are described after an investigation. When a case is investigated, the agency decides whether there is enough credible evidence to prove that maltreatment occurred. If there is enough evidence to support the claim, the finding is that maltreatment happened. If there isn’t enough credible evidence to prove the claim, the finding is unsubstantiated, meaning the allegation isn’t proven.

So, unsubstantiated means not proven. It does not say the report was false, nor that the investigation is ongoing, nor that maltreatment happened. Those would be different outcomes.