A 42-year-old woman in Euless, Texas, was arrested for allegedly attempting to drown a 3-year-old Palestinian Muslim child in a racist attack at an apartment complex pool on May 19, 2024.

The incident, involving Elizabeth Wolf, 42, who was reportedly very intoxicated, has sparked outrage and calls for a hate crime investigation by groups like CAIR and the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office. Wolf allegedly harassed the child’s mother with racist remarks and violence before attempting to drown the young girl. The 3-year-old was rescued by her mother and a bystander, though the family remains deeply shaken. Wolf faces serious charges including attempted capital murder and injury to a child.

According to reports from the Euless Police Department, the incident occurred at the apartment complex pool where Elizabeth Wolf, who was heavily intoxicated, allegedly questioned the child's mother about her country of origin before making several racist remarks aimed at her and her children. The mother, identified only as 'Mrs. H,' was visibly identifiable as a Muslim due to her hijab and modest swimwear.

Wolf's aggressive behavior reportedly escalated when she tried to grab Mrs. H’s 6-year-old son. The child managed to escape, sustaining only a minor scratch on his finger. Undeterred, Wolf then turned her attention to the 3-year-old daughter, seizing the child and forcing her underwater. Witnesses reported the girl was seen struggling and heard yelling for help before being rescued by her mother and a bystander.

Both children were evaluated by medical personnel at the scene and were found to be physically unharmed. However, Mrs. H has stated that her daughter remains traumatized, fearing that Wolf might return to harm her again. During the altercation, in her attempt to save her daughter, Mrs. H was also physically assaulted. Wolf allegedly snatched her hijab and used it to beat her.

Following the attack, Wolf was arrested for public intoxication as she attempted to leave the scene. On May 23, 2024, she was formally charged with attempted capital murder and injury to a child. Despite the serious nature of the charges, Wolf was released on bail the day after her arrest.

The Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has been vocal in urging for the incident to be investigated as a hate crime. They argue that Wolf's actions were evidently driven by racial and religious animosity. The Euless Police Department has supported this stance, recommending the event be classified as a hate crime. Concurrently, the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office is actively investigating the incident from this perspective.

CAIR has highlighted the wider context of the incident by disclosing that they received a record number of complaints regarding discrimination and hate incidents in 2023, totaling 8,061, with a significant spike in the last three months of the year. Such statistics underscore the growing concerns over hate crimes and the need for stringent measures to combat them.

Local officials have also weighed in on the matter. State Representative Salman Bhojani expressed his shock and dismay over the incident. He emphasized that hate has no place in Euless or anywhere else in Texas, reflecting a community outcry against such acts of violence and discrimination.

Mrs. H’s testimony adds a personal dimension to the incident, indicating the fear and long-lasting impact such attacks can have on victims. As the legal proceedings continue, the Euless community and broader human rights advocates are closely monitoring the developments, advocating for justice and stricter enforcement against hate crimes.