The fact-based story of John and Reve Walsh who, following the kidnapping of their six-year-old son (later found murdered), prompted them to mount a national campaign and lobby in Congress to pass the Missing Children's Bill allowing parents access to the FBI's national crime computer. At the end of the film, photos and brief descriptions of many missing children were shown, resulting in a significant number of telephone calls and even the discovery of several of the lost youngsters. A repeat showing of the film the following May with another group of photos brought similar satisfying results, augmented by Daniel J. Travanti's continuing personal campaign on behalf of parents of missing children. The film received an Emmy Award nomination as Outstanding Drama, with nominations also going to Travanti and Williams as Outstanding Actor and Actress and to Alan Leicht for his original teleplay.