I find this offensive, exploitative and unnecessarily voyeuristic

Now that I have read the other comments I am quite curious, is this an innocent childish picture as I presumed or is there some underlying malice?

She's just being a kid, playing in the dirt in an interesting place. The aroma of tobacco probably went to her head.

I'm not sure what the controversy is over this shot. This is a little child that seems to be hiding after playing in the dirt.
I'm trying to figure what is bothering everyone, and maybe it's that her hands are behind her back, and she looks bound? I didn't get that impression, and actually thought she was smirking and silly. But she could be crying, too. It sure does beg for the story to be told.

I went and read the info on this shot, on the website of the photographer. You might all want to check it out.

Thank you Ana, it is as I originally guessed, shy and childish. As children, my sister, brother and I wallowed in dirt growing up on a farm, so that is how I saw this.

I guess I wouldn't have posted this shot when it would have been a bad situation at all. When I first looked at the result I was quite shocked as well. After after a few seconds I discovered some bits which shows that she is ok. First of all behind her is a peace of paper she was playing with before I took this picture (in Cuba paper is a seldom good). Additionally she has a very little smile in her face. And additionally she is wearing barretts. For me this wouldn't fit to a "bad situation".
The story behind this piture is that she was camera shy and that she believed (as kids normaly do) that I wouldn't be able to see her if she can't see me. After I have taken this picture she looked a bit over these wood things and gave me a smile.

It is amazing how other people's words can sway your thinking. I really did think 'little girl playing in the dirt hiding from her mom for a bath' or something silly like that.

I'm glad you posted it...it really does show how perception can be twisted and turned. I thought this was a very cute an innocent shot.

But the three things that can be focused on...no shirt, hiding and not seeing her eyes, and her hands behind her back.
I did notice her cute barrettes.