A photojournalist on assignment at Christmas calls home and hears that her nine-year-old daughter is missing. Merle Baker learns that her matriarch mother has taken the false accusations of a vindictive baby sitter seriously. Olivia has called a Judge she is friends with to have her granddaughter remanded to state custody. Merle hurries home only to be arrested by Aspen police on charges of child neglect and suspected sexual abuse. She relies on a famous local eccentric and his spouse to help prove her innocence. They advise Merle to watch her step while getting the goods on the baby sitter who is known to be an habitual liar. A Local Sheriff becomes involved when he discovers that Olivia has been injured and is now under the influence of powerful painkillers. What he uncovers could prevent Merle from going to prison.