What does unsubstantiated mean in the context of maltreatment reports?

• A. Substantiated means maltreatment occurred.
• B. Unsubstantiated means the report was found to be false.
• C. The investigation confirmed maltreatment occurred.
• D. Unsubstantiated means not enough evidence to prove maltreatment.

Answer: (D)

Unsubstantiated means not enough evidence to prove maltreatment. In child maltreatment investigations, outcomes are based on what the investigator can credibly establish. If there is credible evidence that maltreatment occurred, the finding is substantiated. If there isn’t enough evidence to prove maltreatment, the report is unsubstantiated. This does not mean the report is false or that maltreatment didn’t happen; it means the evidence gathered didn’t meet the threshold to prove it. Sometimes cases are labeled inconclusive or indicated when the evidence is mixed or not definitive.