Alaa Elassar : Woman Accused of Drowning Child in Hate Crime

(CNN) — A woman in Texas has been charged with attempted capital murder and injury to a child after attempting to drown a 3-year-old child at an apartment complex pool and making racial statements, according to authorities.

The incident took place on May 19 at an apartment complex pool in Euless, Texas. Witnesses reported to the Euless Police Department that a woman, later identified as Elizabeth Wolf, 42, was very intoxicated and had tried to drown a child while making racially charged statements.

Police Response

Upon responding to the disturbance call, officers found Wolf attempting to leave the scene and arrested her for public intoxication. The victim’s mother, who was visibly Muslim and wore a hijab, explained to the police that Wolf had targeted her children and made discriminatory remarks.

Victim’s Account

The mother recounted how Wolf questioned her nationality and made derogatory comments before attempting to grab her 6-year-old son. When the boy resisted, Wolf turned her attention to the 3-year-old daughter and forcibly submerged her underwater. The mother managed to rescue her daughter, who was coughing up water and visibly distressed.

Community Outcry

The Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the incident as a hate crime and called for a thorough investigation by state and federal authorities to ensure the safety of the Muslim family and community. The organisation highlighted the traumatic impact on the children and their mother, who expressed fear and insecurity following the attack.

Legal Proceedings

Wolf was taken into custody and later posted bail from Tarrant County Jail. The charges against her include attempted capital murder and injury to a child, with bonds set at $25,000 and $15,000 respectively. It remains unclear if Wolf has legal representation at this time.

Community Response

Texas Representative Salman Bhojani condemned the incident as a racist and Islamophobic act, pledging support to the affected family. He emphasised that hate has no place in Euless or anywhere in the state, commending the swift action taken by the Euless PD in apprehending the suspect.

Shaimaa Zayan, the council’s Austin operations manager, called for a hate-crime investigation, increased bail bond, and dialogue with officials to address rising Islamophobia and anti-Arab sentiment in the region.

The incident has sparked concerns within the community and raised questions about the safety and security of minority groups in Texas.