Maggie Shaye is an anthropology professor at Hudson University and the former wife of murderer Allan Shaye. Maggie was away on an expedition for her curriculum, then surprised Allan by coming home early. When Maggie returned, Allan gave her what was assumed to be a gift of a small animal charm from Africa.
It was revealed Allan murdered a boy named Ajani Haruna, who was smuggled into New York City to be a modern child slave, then purchased by Allan to be sexually abused while Maggie was away. Allan hastily murdered Ajani and cleaned up their apartment to cover his tracks, leaving his headless torso near a river and staging the scene to look like Ajani was "sacrificed".
While tracking the ring, and after Ajani's sister Na'imah was rescued, Ajani was tracked by the charm. Maggie was found with the charm in her possession, so since she had no knowledge, Allan was fingered as the murderer. Maggie was distraught when she was told the truth and revealed the real information that contradicted Allan's account of his alibi. She also led the team to a box at the university where Ajani's head and limbs were stored. This was enough to imprison Allan and make him give up the ring to save the remaining children. (SVU: "Ritual")