Basic Maternal Instinct (S01E24)
As Brandi attends anger management classes, Dottie pursues a runaway father who has abandoned his 10-year-old daughter, Melissa. After temporarily taking Melissa in, the unexpected arrival of the girl's estranged mother complicates matters, raising questions about their unconventional family dynamic. Dottie requests a solo assignment from Ricky, following Brandi's recent mishap involving a parking meter. He tasks her with locating Marty Bates, a burglary suspect known for his gambling and attraction to redheads. Dottie tracks him to a motel, apprehending him just as his daughter, Melissa, appears. When Bates escapes through the window, Dottie decides to take Melissa to social services but, unhappy with the situation, brings her home for safekeeping instead.