| (a) At the end of the investigation, we must assign
a disposition to each allegation identified for the investigation
in order to:
(1) Specify the conclusions about the occurrence of
abuse or neglect;
(2) Derive the overall disposition for the investigation;
and
(3) Derive the overall role for each person with respect
to the abuse or neglect that was investigated.
(b) We may make any of the following dispositions:
(1) Reason-to-believe. Based on a preponderance of
the evidence, we conclude that abuse or neglect has occurred.
(2) Ruled-out. We determine, based on available information
that it is reasonable to conclude that the abuse or neglect has not
occurred.
(3) Unable to complete. We could not draw a conclusion
whether alleged abuse or neglect occurred, because the family:
(A) Could not be located to begin the investigation
or moved and could not be located to finish the investigation; or
(B) was unwilling to cooperate with the investigation.
(4) Unable-to-determine. We conclude that none of the
dispositions specified in paragraphs (1)-(3) of this subsection are
appropriate.
(5) Administrative closure. Information we received
after a case was assigned for investigation reveals that continued
intervention is unwarranted as outlined in §707.489 of this subchapter
(relating to How do we respond to reports of child abuse or neglect?).
(c) The overall investigation disposition is the summary
finding about the abuse or neglect that was investigated. The overall
disposition is derived from the individual allegation dispositions
in the following manner:
(1) Reason-to-believe. If any allegation disposition
is "reason-to-believe", the overall case disposition is "reason-to-believe".
(2) Ruled out. If all allegation dispositions are "ruled
out" or are a mixture of "ruled out" and "administrative closure",
the overall case disposition is "ruled out".
(3) Unable to complete. If any allegation disposition
is "unable to complete" and no allegation disposition is "reason-to-believe"
or "unable to determine", the overall investigation disposition is
"unable to complete".
(4) Unable to determine. If any allegation disposition
is "unable to determine" and no allegation disposition is "reason
to believe", the overall case disposition is "unable to determine".
(5) Administrative closure. Decisions with regard to
administrative closure are made at the case level as specified in §707.489
of this subchapter. Therefore, all allegations must be disposed of
by indicating that administrative closure has been selected. If anyone
allegation meets criteria for allegation dispositions as specified
in paragraphs (1)-(4) of this subsection, a case is not eligible for
administrative closure.
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