Next week on Home and Away, Summer Bay welcomes new characters with a storyline full of tension, heartache, and tough decisions. The arrival of Cohen, a 15-year-old boy, and his mother Samantha will change the course of several lives in the Bay, with their troubles stirring up emotions and raising important questions about family, safety, and responsibility.

Samantha’s Struggle and Arrest

It all starts with a call to the local police regarding a homeless woman causing a disturbance. New Yabbi Creek Sergeant David arrives at the scene, ready to help, but he is met with resistance when the woman, Samantha, refuses his offer of assistance. She’s living out of a tent and clearly struggling to survive. But as the situation escalates, David’s attention is drawn to the boot of her car, where a large stash of stolen mobile phones is discovered. The phones match a recent theft from a local warehouse, and while David tries to manage the situation calmly, Samantha’s maternal instincts kick in.

At the sight of her son Cohen, who bravely attempts to defend her, David is faced with a dilemma. He can see that Samantha has been doing all she can to care for her son, and despite her crime, she’s clearly trying to survive in desperate circumstances. However, David must follow procedure, and with the discovery of arrest warrants for Samantha’s previous crimes, he has no choice but to arrest her, leaving Cohen heartbroken and terrified.

Cohen’s Uncertainty and New Beginnings

As Samantha is brought in for questioning, Cohen’s world is turned upside down. He is left in the hands of the police, with no idea what’s coming next. When he sees his mother in handcuffs, his panic increases, as he struggles to understand the severity of the situation. A scared 15-year-old, Cohen doesn’t grasp that what his mother did was wrong — he only knows that she has been his protector.

In a twist of fate, Ru (played by George Mason) returns to Summer Bay just as the situation unfolds, and David arranges for Cohen to be placed with him as an emergency foster placement. Ru and Marilyn (Emily Symons) are quick to make Cohen feel welcome in their home, and Ru begins to bond with the boy, who turns out to be an avid reader. As the story unfolds, Ru realizes that Cohen is deeply affected by the upheaval in his life, especially with the uncertainty about his mother’s future.

Samantha’s Heartbreaking Decision

At the police station, things take a darker turn when David informs Ru that Samantha has made the devastating decision to relinquish all parental rights to Cohen. She wants nothing to do with him, a choice that shakes Ru and leaves Cohen in emotional turmoil. This decision is heartbreaking not only for Cohen but also for everyone involved, as the impact of this decision will reverberate throughout the Bay.

Ru, already struggling with his own complex emotions about fostering, is left to figure out how to navigate this difficult situation. Cohen, still grappling with the idea that his mother could truly walk away from him, is placed in an impossible position. David tries to help by arranging a visit to see if any other family members could step in, but all they know is a mention of a grandmother in Canbor, a lead that doesn’t seem to offer much hope.

What’s Next for Cohen?

Cohen’s future hangs in the balance as he adjusts to life with Ru and Marilyn. As his assigned social worker Harper arrives on the scene to meet him, Cohen begins to adjust to his new reality. But with no family to support him and the uncertainty of his mother’s abandonment weighing heavily on him, Cohen faces a difficult road ahead.

Next week’s episodes promise to explore themes of family, abandonment, and the deep emotional challenges of being a child in an uncertain world. As Cohen’s story continues to unfold, viewers will be left wondering: will Samantha’s choice to give up her parental rights be permanent? Will Cohen ever be able to come to terms with his mother’s actions? And, perhaps most importantly, will he find a new sense of belonging in Summer Bay, or will the shadows of his past continue to haunt him?

Be sure to tune in to Home and Away next week for these emotional developments. The drama is heating up, and Cohen’s journey is set to become one of the most talked-about storylines of the year.