In February 2008, nine-year-old Shannon Matthews is reported missing. A frantic search quickly becomes a murder inquiry. Led by Julie Bushby, the community rallies around Shannon's grief-stricken mother Karen, determined to find her daughter and show that, although she's from a poor background, Shannon's life is as important as any other. As hope fades and doubts about Karen arise, Shannon is found — with a man her mother knows. Who is this man, and what is his connection to Karen?