Finding Faith (2013) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A sheriff and a desperate father pursue leads in the search for a missing girl, while the investigation ends without finding her.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Sheriff and an Early Arrest

Sheriff Brown reflects on the faith that sustains him and his department's work with an Internet Crimes Against Children unit. Dave Gordon is arrested, and Brown tries to obtain information about the criminal network.

Key Events

• Brown Reflects on Faith — Brown recalls the crimes he has witnessed and the faith that has helped him endure them. Characters: Sheriff Brown Location: Small town near the Blue Ridge Mountains
• Department Works with ICAC — The department works with an Internet Crimes Against Children unit. Characters: Sheriff Brown Location: Sheriff's department
• Gordon Is Arrested — An early arrest brings suspected offender Dave Gordon into custody. Characters: Sheriff Brown, Dave Gordon Location: Unspecified
• Brown Questions Gordon — Brown seeks information from Gordon about the network and its changing drop points. Characters: Sheriff Brown, Dave Gordon Location: Unspecified

Faith's Disappearance

Faith Garrett disappears, and investigators discover her online contact with someone using a false profile. Sam demands immediate action while the investigators explain the time required to trace the account.

Key Events

• Faith Disappears — Faith's disappearance turns the investigation into a personal crisis for Sam. Characters: Faith Garrett, Sam Garrett Location: Unspecified
• False Profile Discovered — Investigators learn Faith communicated online with someone posing as a teenage boy. Characters: Faith Garrett, Sam Garrett, Sheriff Brown Location: Investigators' office
• Sam Demands Action — Sam demands immediate action while investigators explain that tracing the account takes time. Characters: Sam Garrett, Sheriff Brown Location: Investigators' office
• Online Activity Reviewed — Investigators review Faith's online activity and circulate the profile through other offices. Characters: Sheriff Brown, Sam Garrett Location: Investigators' office

A Lead and a Test of Faith

Investigators review online activity, use decoy accounts, and trace a phone call to an area outside Beckley. Sam struggles with helplessness, and Brown invites him to participate in the investigation.

Key Events

• Decoy Accounts Used — Investigators use decoy accounts to locate people contacting girls like Faith. Characters: Sheriff Brown Location: Investigators' office
• Call Traced Near Beckley — A traced phone call gives investigators a new lead outside Beckley. Characters: Sheriff Brown Location: Area outside Beckley
• Sam Struggles with Faith — Sam challenges God to protect Faith and bring her home. Characters: Sam Garrett Location: Unspecified
• Brown Invites Sam — Brown discusses his own difficulty holding on to faith and invites Sam into the investigation. Characters: Sheriff Brown, Sam Garrett Location: Unspecified

The Search Moves to Atlantic City

The investigation points toward Atlantic City and offenders connected to the false online identity. Officers move in as the suspects prepare to flee with Faith.

Key Events

• Trail Points to Atlantic City — The investigation points toward Atlantic City and offenders connected to the false identity. Characters: Sheriff Brown, Sam Garrett Location: Atlantic City
• Officers Move In — Hampton receives updates as officers move toward the suspects. Characters: Sheriff Brown, Lt. Hampton Location: Unspecified
• Suspects Prepare to Flee — The suspects prepare to flee with Faith as she tries to escape; a baby in the vehicle is in distress. Characters: Faith Garrett Location: Suspects' vehicle

The Raid and an Unfinished Search

Police identify and raid a house associated with a black Ford truck, finding other women and apprehending an accomplice. The main suspect has escaped, Faith is not found, and the investigation continues.

Key Events

• Truck Identified — Police identify a black Ford truck registered to a suspect. Characters: Sheriff Brown Location: Unspecified
• House Is Raided — Police raid the associated house and find other women in the basement. Characters: Sheriff Brown, Lt. Hampton Location: House associated with the truck
• Accomplice Apprehended — Officers apprehend an accomplice, but the main suspect has escaped and left the truck behind. Characters: Sheriff Brown, Lt. Hampton Location: House associated with the truck
• Faith Still Missing — Faith is not among those found, and Brown tells Sam the search has not recovered her. Characters: Faith Garrett, Sam Garrett, Sheriff Brown Location: Unspecified
• Investigation Continues — The story ends with Faith still missing and the investigation continuing. Characters: Sheriff Brown, Sam Garrett, Faith Garrett Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• Brown's Resolve — Sheriff Brown frames his work through faith and the department's efforts against online crimes involving children.
  • Faith Through Hardship — Brown reflects on the terrible crimes he has witnessed and the faith that helped him endure them.
  • ICAC Cooperation — The department works with an Internet Crimes Against Children unit.
• Gordon's Arrest — An early arrest introduces a possible source of information about a criminal network.
  • Suspect Taken In — Dave Gordon, suspected of offending, is brought into custody.
  • Network Questions — Brown tries to obtain information about the network and its changing drop points.
• Faith Goes Missing — Faith's disappearance makes the broader investigative work personal for her father.
  • Personal Crisis — Sam becomes furious and demands that police act immediately.
  • False Online Identity — Investigators learn that Faith communicated with someone posing as a teenage boy.
• Digital Investigation — Investigators examine Faith's online activity and pursue ways to identify the person behind the profile.
  • Profile Circulation — The profile is shared through other offices while investigators review Faith's activity.
  • Decoy Accounts — Decoy accounts are used to find people contacting girls like Faith.
• A Family's Faith — Sam confronts his helplessness while Brown offers empathy and a way to join the search.
  • Sam's Plea — Sam challenges God to protect his daughter and bring her home.
  • Brown's Invitation — Brown shares his own difficulty holding on to faith and invites Sam into the investigation.
• Trail to Atlantic City — A phone lead and subsequent investigation point toward offenders connected to the false identity.
  • Beckley Area Lead — A traced phone call leads investigators to an area outside Beckley.
  • Suspects Prepare to Flee — Offenders connected to the identity prepare to escape with Faith as she tries to get away.
• Raid Without Rescue — Police find evidence of other victims and apprehend an accomplice, but do not find Faith.
  • Truck and House — Police identify a black Ford truck registered to a suspect and raid the associated house.
  • Search Continues — The main suspect has escaped, Faith remains missing, and the investigation continues.

Directed by

Justin Rossbacher

Key Cast

• Erik Estrada — Sheriff Brown
• Jamie Watson — Sam Garrett
• Stephanie Bettcher — Faith Garrett
• Timothy E. Goodwin — Lt. Hampton
• Alexander McPherson — Dave Gordon