14-year-old Holly has written a school essay detailing her stepfather's physical abuse of her and her younger brother. The social services' most experienced social worker, Lars Madsen, is handed the case.

Dea and Simon have had their children removed and the emptiness resounds in the home. They hire a lawyer to run a case against the municipality. Meanwhile, Holly and Theo have been placed with a foster family and a new everyday life begins.

Lars doubts Holly's version of events. Dea watches Theo play football but it doesn't work out. Theo is interviewed on video by the police.

Theo is homesick and runs away from the foster family on his birthday. Simon finds him at home in the family house and is surprised. Holly opens her eyes to the foster family's son, Jonathan, who shows her the benefits of living in the country.

A video of Lars fetching Theo goes viral and Lars feels the full weight of public outrage. Simon is emboldened by the online support, but Dea's job is in danger.

Only a few days before the case is to be finally decided, Lars has come to the conclusion that Holly may not have been subjected to violence. However, he is still convinced that something is seriously wrong in the family.