Ep 6. Baby Doe

Lincoln Heights season 1 episode 6, titled "Baby Doe," follows the Sutton family as they deal with the aftermath of finding an abandoned infant in a department store parking lot. The episode, airing on February 12, 2007, opens with the family frantically trying to find help for the newborn they've discovered. Officer Eddie Sutton (Russell Hornsby), along with his wife, Jenn (Nicki Micheaux), and their two teenage children, Cassie (Erica Hubbard) and Charles (Mishon Ratliff), take the baby to the hospital for a check-up.

As the family waits for news on the infant, they struggle with their own emotions and past experiences. Eddie, who has a complicated relationship with his own father, recalls a time when he found a baby abandoned in a dumpster. Jenn, a nurse, has experience dealing with abandoned or unwanted babies through her work at a local clinic. Cassie, who is growing more independent, begins to question her own future and whether she wants children. And Charles, who is dealing with his own troubles at school, contemplates his own future as a young man.

As the Suttons bond over their newfound responsibility for the baby, they begin to uncover more about the infant and its mysterious past. They learn that the child, who they begin to call "Baby Doe," was born premature and was likely left in the parking lot by her mother, who may have been too afraid to seek help. The episode delves into issues of abandonment and responsibility, as the Suttons struggle to find Baby Doe a home while also questioning their own abilities as parents.

Meanwhile, the episode also features a subplot involving Eddie's partner, Lund (Brian White), who is dealing with his own personal demons. Lund is shown struggling with alcoholism and relationship issues, which come to a head during a confrontation with a suspect in a domestic violence case. The subplot adds an extra layer of complexity to the episode, as the Suttons and Lund grapple with their own personal issues while trying to do their jobs.

"Baby Doe" is a poignant episode that highlights the complexities of parenthood and the weight of responsibility that comes with caring for another life. The Suttons, who are already dealing with their own family issues, are forced to confront their own values and beliefs as they try to do what's best for the infant they've found. The episode also touches on issues of race and poverty, as Baby Doe's backstory reveals a potentially troubled past for the child and its mother.

Overall, "Baby Doe" is an emotional and thought-provoking episode that showcases the strengths of the Lincoln Heights series. Through its compelling characters and nuanced storytelling, the show engages with a wide range of social and political issues while still delivering a gripping drama.