Enraged by his loss in a bitter custody fight, Michael Johnson kidnaps his son Adam. As they drive through the Arizona desert Michael suffers heart failure. Adam strikes out in search of help and encounters Carla and Tino, Mexican teenagers who have crossed into the U.S. illegally. Tino goes to aid Adam's father, leaving Adam and Carla behind. Finding him dead, he panics, takes the dead man's car and wallet, disposes of his body and returns for Carla and Adam. The three travel to the town of Paloverdes. Adam's mother has reported her son missing and Sheriff Patterson is close on their trail..... Wetback is the story of two Mexican teenagers and one desperate child cast together by circumstance and set on an adventure charged with youthful expectations and midlife realities.