Mahfuza Akhter is the former live-in maid for Bangledeshi cricket star Shahadat Hossain and his wife, Nritto Shahadat.
The 11-year-old girl, affectionately known as “Happy,” was found bruised in the streets of Dhaka with claims of abuse by Hossain and his wife.
“They used to beat me with sticks, kitchen utensils, punch me, and scratch me. I would be slapped a lot,” says Happy.
She was sent to work in the couple’s home in order to garner some sort of income for her family. Forced to sleep in the bathroom and eat spoiled food, the young maid saw her chance to escape when another house servant opened a door out of which she fled. She was found on the side of the road by journalist Mojammel Hossain.
Doctors report the young girl suffered extensive injuries, including a broken leg and swollen eyes.
Following the arrest of his wife on counts of child repression and employing a minor, the athlete turned himself in on October 5. While his wife was granted temporary bail on December 1, Shahadat Hossain was granted bail on December 8.
Akhter now resides in a shelter, where she has hopes of going to school and becoming an actress.