Presumption of Guilt is a novel by author Terri Blackstock. The story follows a journalist, Beth Wright as she investigates the St. Clair Children's Home for an article she is writing. Beth believes that the man who runs the home, Bill Brandon, is using the children that live at the home to run a crime ring. She plans on exposing Brandon and all of his evil deeds when her story publishes.

After interviewing Bill's sister, Marlene, Bill tries to run Beth off the road. In the meantime, Bill sends Jimmy, a ten-year-old boy from the home to break into Beth's house and steal any papers, tapes or information Beth has on the home. Beth ends up finding Jimmy hiding in her attic and tries to protect him while she gets her story published. Jimmy, however, is intent on getting his sister Lisa out of the home because Bill threatens to harm the siblings for the sins of their other siblings.

As the novel and the story unfolds, Nick, who is a social worker, helps Beth. The two also fall in love at the same time. Through arson, bombings, and high-speed car chases, the police with Nick and Beth finally arrest Bill Brandon. The rest of his ring, consisting of high officials such as judges and the social worker that is Nick's boss, are also convicted.