Life in Port Charles has never been gentle with its youngest residents, and few children embody that truth more painfully than Scout Cain. From the moment she was born,

Scout’s world has been shaped by loss, secrets, and complicated adult choices. But the past year has delivered a devastating blow that may redefine her future forever:

the death of her mother, Sam McCall. For Scout, that loss wasn’t simply the absence of a parent—it was the collapse of the one emotional anchor who truly understood her.

Sam’s death marked a profound turning point in Scout’s life. Once surrounded by a network of strong, fiercely loyal women and family members, Scout suddenly found herself under the exclusive care of her father, Drew Cain. While Drew has always presented himself as a hero and a survivor, his parenting style has raised serious concerns. Too often, Drew’s attention drifts inward, consumed by his own ambitions, obsessions, and emotional entanglements. Scout, meanwhile, has been left to quietly carry her grief alone.

What makes Scout’s situation even more heartbreaking is the emotional isolation imposed by Drew himself. In the wake of Sam’s death, Drew established rigid boundaries that effectively cut Scout off from the people who know her best and love her deeply. Alexis, Kristina, Molly, and even Danny—key figures in Scout’s extended family—have been forbidden from seeing her. These were not casual relationships. They were the very connections that could have helped Scout process her grief and feel less alone in a world that suddenly felt unsafe.

Scout’s sadness is not loud or defiant. Instead, it manifests in silence. She rarely confronts her father, not because she doesn’t feel the pain, but because she doesn’t believe she will be heard. Drew’s emotional unavailability has created an unspoken barrier between them. His fixation on his own personal life—particularly his complicated and increasingly troubling obsession with Willow—has only widened that gap. As Drew pursues what he wants, Scout remains on the sidelines, yearning for reassurance, warmth, and stability.

Now, just as Scout’s emotional foundation has worn dangerously thin, another crisis has struck. Drew has suffered a stroke, a life-altering medical emergency that has left doctors deeply concerned. During the week of January 26 to 30, General Hospital physicians may recommend transferring him to a long-term care facility due to the risk of locked-in syndrome. For Scout, this development is terrifying. It introduces the possibility of yet another separation—this time from the only parent she has left.

Should Drew be moved into long-term care, Scout’s living situation would be thrown into chaos. In an unsettling twist, Willow would become her primary guardian. For Scout, this scenario is nothing short of a nightmare. Willow’s history of manipulation, cruelty, and emotional instability has already made her a controversial figure in Port Charles. To place a grieving, vulnerable child under her care raises serious ethical and emotional questions. Fans have been quick to voice their discomfort, fearing that Scout’s needs would once again be overshadowed by adult agendas.

At the heart of this unfolding tragedy lies a powerful question: why isn’t Sam here?

For many viewers, the answer feels painfully obvious. Scout needs her mother now more than ever. Sam McCall was never perfect, but she was fiercely protective, deeply intuitive, and unconditionally devoted to her children. She understood Scout in ways no one else could. Sam listened. She fought. She made sure her children felt seen, even when the world around them was chaotic and cruel.

The idea of bringing Sam back from the dead—a trope General Hospital has used before—no longer feels far-fetched or gratuitous. Instead, it feels necessary. Scout’s storyline has reached a point where hope seems impossible without intervention. Reuniting her with Sam wouldn’t just offer emotional relief; it would restore balance to a family that has been unraveling since Sam’s absence.

There’s also Danny to consider. Sam’s son has been navigating his own grief and confusion, grappling with loyalty, fear, and unanswered questions. Both of Sam’s children are at critical stages in their emotional development, facing challenges far beyond what any child should endure. The return of their mother could provide guidance, grounding, and a sense of safety that no one else in Port Charles seems capable of offering right now.

From a storytelling perspective, Sam’s return would open the door to deeply emotional material. Imagine Scout’s reaction to seeing her mother again—the disbelief, the tears, the release of pain she’s been forced to suppress. Imagine Danny finally being able to express his anger and confusion to the one person he trusts completely. These moments wouldn’t just be dramatic; they would be cathartic.

Fans have long hoped for Kelly Monaco’s return to General Hospital, and this storyline feels tailor-made for it. Sam’s presence has always brought warmth, strength, and emotional clarity to the canvas. Her absence has left a void that no other character has been able to fill. Bringing her back wouldn’t erase the trauma Scout has endured, but it would give that trauma meaning—and, more importantly, give Scout a chance to heal.

As Drew’s condition worsens and Scout’s future hangs in the balance, the stakes have never been higher. The possibility of Scout being placed under Willow’s guardianship highlights just how vulnerable she truly is. It underscores the urgent need for a protector who prioritizes her emotional well-being above all else.

In Port Charles, miracles are rare—but not impossible. And right now, Scout deserves one.

Whether through a shocking resurrection, a hidden truth, or an unexpected twist of fate, Sam McCall’s return could restore a sense of justice and love that has been missing for far too long. For Scout, it wouldn’t just be a reunion. It would be a lifeline.

As fans continue to watch this storyline unfold, one sentiment grows louder by the day: this is the perfect time for Sam to be with Scout. And perhaps, it’s the perfect time for General Hospital to remind viewers that even in the darkest moments, hope can still find its way home.