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"Stolen"
SVU, Episode 3.03
Production number: E2315
First aired: 12 October 2001
  th of 502 produced in SVU  
th of 502 released in SVU
  th of 1271 released in all  
Stabler Stolen
Written By
Jonathan Greene & Robert F. Campbell

Directed By
James Quinn

Summary[]

When a baby is stolen from her mother in a grocery store, Detectives Benson and Stabler soon discover that the kidnapping is only the tip of the iceberg in a baby snatching and selling scheme.

Plot[]

The kidnapping of an infant at a grocery store leads to a scheme of snatching and selling babies for adoption which brings back a case from 12 years ago that involved Captain Cragen and his partner, the late Max Greevey.

Ultimately the case leads to a painful custody battle in which the detectives are on the adopted family's side and Cabot herself acts as their lawyer in an attempt to help.

Robert is asked by his lawyer as to why he would be a good parent. Robert answers that they can look at how he raised his other sons and says Tyler will be treated no different than them. Robert goes on by saying Tyler will have a brother the same age as him and a devoted father who can more than provide. Robert also says Tyler will have his maternal grandparents too because he wants them in his life as well, something that surprises them.

Cabot tells Cragen about the case hearing. She says it is ripping her apart because all these good people just want Tyler and have his interest at heart. Stabler and Benson come in and review they have made a startling discovery. They revealed that the signature on the adoption for Tyler were a dead match for Linda Cook the ex-wife of Robert.

Linda is brought in and the and denies being the one who killed Jennifer but after some prodding for motive by Cragen; her guilt is exposed. Cragen asks Linda to tell him that she did not mean to kill Jennifer and says he could help her if she does but she does not take the offer instead ask for a lawyer.

In family court, the case has ended and the Blakes do lose the case, but the judge requests Robert make arrangements for the adoptive parents to have contact with the child which the father does seem like he's going to do.

Cast[]

Main cast[]

Recurring cast[]

Guest cast[]

References[]

Quotes[]

Stabler: [to Michele Daricek] You know, when my first daughter was born, I was working the midnight to 8:00 a.m. shift, my wife worked days. So when I got home, all I wanted to do was sleep, all my baby wanted to do was cry. I nearly lost my mind. I could barely function. It's so hard. Michele, I know what you're going through. The first baby is always the toughest.

Cragen: Do we have any idea who the other kids belong to?
Stabler: We don't even know if they were kidnapped or sold.
Cragen: ACS is coming to take custody of them. We'll get their photos out to the media. You know somebody's gonna come forward.
Stabler: Yeah, every couple who'd love to adopt them.

Tutuola: Three marriages, no children. You ever consider adopting?
Munch: The kindest thing I could ever do for a kid is not adopt.

Cabot: [to Cragen] What the hell was that?
Cragen: Well, you weren't getting him to talk, so I had to give it a shot.
Cabot: What? With the macho cop routine? I could have used the kidnapping charge as leverage if you'd just given me the chance.
Cragen: I gave you your chance.
Cabot: You lost your cool. You are too emotionally invested in this case.
Cragen: Damn right.

Robert Cook: I read about Jennifer in the paper, but I swear in a million years, I never thought that child was mine. We only slept together a few times.
Munch: Sixth grade sex-ed: "Once is enough."

Tyler's Friend: Are you here for Tyler? The way he played second base was a crime!

[about Stephen Talmadge]
Erin Blake: For God's sake, he's our son! You can't just take him away after all these years.
Cragen: I know how hard this must be for you.
Erin Blake: We are the only parents he has ever known. We were a happy family until you came along. How could you do this to us?

Cragen: We can't play Solomon and split the child.
Cabot: I can't get him into a foster home until tomorrow morning. I hate to do it, but I think Tyler's gonna have to spend the night at the Laight Street Shelter.
Cragen: Why put him in that hellhole when his grandparents have right of natural guardianship?
Cabot: I don't like it any more than you do, but the law doesn't give grandparents automatic custody...
Cragen: Just forget the law and just for one minute, think about what's in the best interests of this child!
Cabot: Don't you think I am? Right now, everybody wants a piece of Tyler. Maybe the best place for him is somewhere neutral.
Cragen: [when Stephen maternal grandparents arrive] Why don't you tell that to his grandparents?

Margaret Talmadge: Our daughter was taken away and now you're telling us that we can't have our grandson?
Cragen: I can't release Tyler to you unless a judge says I can, but you can apply for temporary custody.
Margaret Talmadge: We have to go to court?
Herbert Talmadge: What about permanent custody?
Cragen: Tyler's biological father is probably going to claim his parental rights and as long as he's deemed fit, his rights supersede yours.
Margaret Talmadge: His mother was our only child. You gave us our hope back. Now how can you just take it away from us like this?

Cragen: Tyler, I'm sorry, but what I did today is my job. I didn't want to take you, but I had to because the law says so. But the law also says that I have to protect you from anything bad and that's a part of my job I like.

Cabot: Got a minute?
Cragen: Only if you promise not to tell me you told me so.
Cabot: You were just doing your job. Following the lead of a 12-year-old crime.
Cragen: And now Tyler Blake's the victim and I don't know how to fix it.
Cabot: Then let me help.
Cragen: You have any suggestions, I'm all ears.
Cabot: Tyler's going to need a law guardian for the adoption hearing. There's a three-week backlog on court-appointed attorneys, so I'll volunteer.
Cragen: Well, that's a hell of a gesture, Alex, but the law favors the biological parent.
Cabot: The law also says that Tyler is old enough and mature enough to know who he wants to live with. If I'm his attorney, I have to fight for what he wants, and he wants to live with the Blakes.

Background information and notes[]

  • This episode brings back a twelve-year-old case from 1989 in which a mother was strangled to death. During that time, Donald Cragen was still a detective and partnered with Max Greevey. Cragen said Greevy continued to work the case until his death and while Cragen was his commanding officer.
  • Charlotte Colavin plays a judge named D. Serani. Michael Mastro plays a judge with the same name from the thirteenth season. It is possible that the two characters are related, although there is no proof of this.

Episode scene cards[]

1 2 3 4 5

Apartment of Alicia Brown
788 Tenth Avenue
Friday, March 9

Greenwich Diner
74 West 8th Street
Saturday, March 10

Reiter Residence
Westchester County
Sunday, March 11

Family Court
Custody Hearing
Tuesday, March 12

Family Court
Wednesday, March 13

Previous episode:
"Wrath"
"Stolen"
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Season 3
Next episode:
"Rooftop"
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