[2] Jo arrived at the Melrose Place apartment complex from New York City to escape from her stormy marriage to Charles Reynolds.

As the story progresses, Jo meets her match in gruff "bad boy" Jake Hanson, and the two begin a tempestuous romance.

Jo is threatened when the complex is bought by the aggressive Amanda Woodward, who has an obvious attraction to Jake.

When he found out that Jo was aware of his illegal activities, Reed kidnapped and tortured her, holding her captive in a boat he used to share business with Jake and Amanda.

A couple of months before Jo was due to deliver, Reed's parents arrived at Melrose Place.

The Carters wanted revenge on her for "killing their son" although they knew Jo shot Reed because of his abusive nature.

Jo slowly began to die inside, going through depression and not feeling the work of her beloved photography job any longer, when Kimberly Shaw showed up.

Through the months preceding the due date, Kimberly and Jo were able to trick the Carters into believing their grandchild was dead.

For weeks, Jo struggled to prove that her son was in danger, but still alive, despite what the birth records stated.

After extreme pressure from Dr. Peter Burns, then Chief of Staff of Wilshire Memorial Hospital, Michael conceded and set Kimberly to work on Christmas Day, and while she was gone, he gave baby Austin back to mother Jo, the perfect Christmas present.

Jo, on the other hand, was happy and made Jake the godfather of Austin, when an unexpected nanny came to 4616 Melrose Place.

Rikki, who moved into 4616 Melrose with Sydney, trashed her motorcycle and committed other acts to her apartment, including stealing her cameras.

Jo cooperated, only to meet stern "justice" when the officer who committed the act of violence ripped her apartment to shreds, and would not leave her alone about keeping her mouth shut.

Jo felt his pain when Jake shut him out of his apartment at Melrose Place, so she lent him her couch and became attracted to him.

Aside from the beating and Melrose Place being blown to bits by Kimberly Shaw, the unstable doctor who kidnapped her child, she was alone and afraid.

For most of season four, Jo was playing second fiddle to Richard, assisting him at his company, "Mackenzie Hart Designs".

As she was living on "automatic pilot" for a few weeks, a friend of Sydney's, Laurie, came by 4616 Melrose Place, with her son Tyler, to stay.

Sydney was not very interested in this friend anymore, and Jo, being the wonderful and kind hearted person she was, let them stay with her.

When the little boy showed bruises, Jo was concerned and made sure Matt Fielding, did something about it, by going to his mentor, Dr. Dominick O'Malley.