Grissom, Sofia and Greg investigate a gang shooting with two victims. Out of the blue, Greg finds the body of a young boy dumped in a trash bin. Sara and David Phillips join the investigation. Dr. Robbins notes in the autopsy that the boy was around five years old, was abused with several recent fractures and died of starvation. A further investigation identifies the boy as Devon Malton and Sara and Capt. Brass visit the foster home where he lived with Lorna Tenney. Meanwhile, Catherine, Nick, Warrick and Det. Louis Vartann investigate the case of the prisoner Samuel Mendez that was beaten up in a riot in a cell and now is brain dead. Warrick sees a gun in the cell that was under Samuels body. Lt. Arthur Chen that is the responsible for the prisoners has an argument with Warrick when he comments about a sloppy police search and abuse of force. Soon they learn that Samuel Mendez is not the wanted criminal but an innocent namesake.

Two dead bodies lead CSI to an old-school mobster who runs a strip club. Meanwhile, divorce proceedings and prescription drug addictions cause Warrick's life to begin spinning out of control.