'I DID STUPID THINGS FOR NO REASON.'; KENT SALLAS
When Kent was 3, he learned to talk. At 10, he had sex for the first time. He learned to read when he was 11. And when he was 15, he went to prison. Kent Sallas reveals this information with such nonchalance that you wonder whether he understands the slightest thing about normalcy. And then you realize he understands too well; he just can't relate.
'I STOOD THERE AND LOOKED AT HER.'; JESSICA ROBINSON
Jessica Robinson doesn't want to talk about her mother, even though she just finished a rare, long conversation with her, even though her mother lives 5,000 miles away in Germany, even though she sure could use her mom right now.
FOUR CASE STUDIES
There were 24 Florida children named in a class-action suit against the state's foster care system. They represent thousands of children damaged by that system.
'IF YOU TELL 'EM YOU WANT COUNSELING, THEY'LL MAKE YOU CRAZY FOR REAL.'; CHARLES GOUCH
Charles was antsy. Couldn't sleep. Two years on the inside, two years of taking whatever the guards and inmates dished out, two years of keeping to himself, not making trouble, yes sir, no sir, whatever you say, sir.
GROWING UP BEHIND BARS
When Florida sends a child to prison, it might as well place a sign around the kid's neck that reads "hopeless." That, in effect, is what the state thinks of the 127 children 16 or younger who live in Florida's adult prisons.
MEET SAMANTHA; HER ONLY FAMILY IS THE STATE
If there were a scrapbook of Samantha's life, it would be filled with pictures of a freckle-faced child with a haunting smile. Samantha with her box of filthy toys and the beat-up bicycle she rode to elementary school.
THE STRUGGLE FOR SAMANTHA; HER GREATEST WISH IS TO BE PART OF A FAMILY
A little red-haired girl, given to the state of Florida 14 years ago to nurture and protect, is coming of age soon. She'd like to celebrate by ordering the state out of her life. The girl, now a teenager with a captivating smile and three felony convictions, has a fight ahead.