Directed by Charles Correll
Written by Wendell Rawls & Robert Nathan
Samantha, the seven-year-old daughter of famous Broadway producer Gary Silver, goes missing from a mall. The evidence leads Logan and Briscoe to Ramona Stark, a child psychologist who leads an organization that removes children from abusive homes. Samantha had indicated that Silver was sexually abusing her, so Stark agreed to bring her back to her mother Janet. Stark's past clients laud her as a hero, yet there are reports that she helps them win custody cases by coaching their children to make up stories of abuse. Despite evidence that Silver may have assaulted Samantha and/or his first daughter (now an adult), the case is difficult to prove.
Schiff reluctantly agrees to proceed with sexual assault charges against Silver, despite Samantha being an unreliable witness. During cross-examination Samantha implies that Stark coached her to say she was abused, since Janet plans to emigrate to France and her joint custody agreement with Silver would prevent her bringing Samantha. The jury acquits. Samantha disappears again, but Janet will have to hand her back to Silver; he has a court order for custody, and Janet is facing criminal charges. Robinette reflects that Samantha is the only true victim of the case.
This episode contains examples of:
- The Bad Guys Win: This may well be the case, since Samantha really does have internal injuries consistent with sexual abuse.
- Children Are Innocent: Robinette says, and Stone agrees, that Samantha is the only innocent person involved.
- False Rape Accusation: The entire episode hinges on whether Samantha has made one.
- Left Hanging: The main question of the case (whether Silver abused Samantha) is left inconclusive.
- Marry the Nanny: Silver has now re-married to Samantha's former nanny.
- Parental Incest: Silver may have molested either or both his daughters.
- Parents as People: Silver and Janet are ultimately more concerned with their own agendas (Silver's career, Janet's desire to move to France) than their daughter's wellbeing.
- Ripped from the Headlines: Specifically, the case of Faye Yager, who was accused of kidnapping several children and encouraging them to lie about being abused.
- Smug Snake: Ramona Stark is very smug about her "success" in getting clients' children back, even though she basically kidnapped them, and may have been coaching them to lie in court.
- Taking the Kids: Played with. Janet wanted to do this, but since the wealthy and influential Silver was favored for custody, she went to Stark for help in taking Samantha back.
- Would Hurt a Child: The entire episode is about whether or not Samantha's father hurt her.
