Texas woman formally indicted for attempted drowning of Palestinian-American child

World

Published: 2024-09-04 17:39

Last Updated: 2024-09-04 17:45


Elizabeth Wolf (Credit: Tarrant County Sheriff's Office)
Elizabeth Wolf (Credit: Tarrant County Sheriff's Office)

Elizabeth Wolf, 42, has been formally indicted by a Tarrant County grand jury for the attempted drowning of a three-year-old Palestinian-American Muslim girl in an incident that authorities have labeled as racially motivated.

The suspect was charged with attempted capital murder of a child under 10 years old, with an additional hate crime enhancement that could result in a harsher sentence if convicted, according to court documents released on Tuesday.

The charges stem from a disturbing event that took place in May at a swimming pool within an apartment complex, according to the police report.

Wolf approached the child's mother, who was at the pool with her daughter and six-year-old son, and began questioning their origins.

The encounter quickly escalated, with Wolf allegedly attempting to drown the three-year-old girl by forcing her head underwater. The mother managed to pull her daughter to safety, preventing further harm.

Although medics were called to the scene, both children were assessed and found to be physically unharmed.

Wolf's indictment has drawn significant attention due to its classification as a hate crime, reflecting growing concerns over the safety of American Muslims and other minorities in the wake of escalating violence.

This incident is part of a broader trend of rising threats against Muslims and Arabs in the US, coinciding with the ongoing aggression in Gaza.