Ep 7. The Innocents

The episode "The Innocents" from season 4 of Without A Trace follows the FBI's Missing Persons Unit as they investigate the case of two teenage girls who have disappeared from a residential treatment center for troubled youth. The first girl, Katie, was sent to the facility by her wealthy parents after she was caught drinking and smoking marijuana, while the second girl, Becca, was sent there by her parents because of her history of running away from home and substance abuse problems.

The team's investigation quickly reveals that the girls had been planning their escape for weeks, and had even created a fake persona and social media profile in order to gain the trust of a nearby teenage boy, who they believed could help them run away. As the team delves deeper into the case, they discover that the girls' behavior was not out of character, and that they had a history of running away and engaging in risky behavior.

As the search for the girls intensifies, the team's attention is drawn to Katie's parents, who are reluctant to share information about their daughter's past and seem more concerned with protecting their family's reputation than finding their missing child. Similarly, Becca's parents seem more intent on blaming each other for their daughter's problems than working together to help find her. As the team tries to navigate these complicated family dynamics, they must also contend with the emotional toll that the case is taking on them personally.

As the hours tick by, the team's search for the girls leads them to a rundown motel on the outskirts of town, where they suspect the girls may be hiding out. But when they arrive, they find that their investigation has only just begun, and that there may be more going on beneath the surface than initially meets the eye. With time running out, the team must work quickly to uncover the truth behind the girls' disappearance and bring them home safely.

Overall, "The Innocents" is a tense and emotional episode that highlights the challenges faced by families and law enforcement officials in dealing with troubled youth. Through its exploration of the intricacies of family relationships and the complexities of adolescent behavior, the episode raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of responsibility, trust, and the meaning of innocence in a world where it is often hard to distinguish right from wrong.