Allegations surface claiming a woman tried to submerge a 3-year-old in a suspected hate crime.
Islamic Advocacy Group, CAIR Texas, labeled the involved family as Muslim and Palestinian, urging local and federal law enforcement to probe the incident as a potential hate crime and ensure safety measures for the Muslim family and community, as per a statement released Friday.
On May 19, Euless Police Department officers responded to a commotion at an apartment complex pool, where a tipsy woman, Elizabeth Wolf, 42, allegedly attempted to drown a child and argued with the child's mother, according to police reports.
Wolf was apprehended by officers while attempting to leave, charged with public intoxication.
The victim's mother informed police that Wolf inquired about her origin and whether the children playing at the pool were hers. The mother was visibly Muslim, donning a hijab, and modest swimwear, according to CAIR.
Wolf reportedly made remarks about the mother not being an American and made other discriminatory remarks, police said.
When the mother responded, Wolf is said to have attempted to grab the 6-year-old son, but he managed to escape, leaving a scratch on his finger. Wolf then allegedly grabbed the 3-year-old daughter and forcefully submerged her in water. The mother was able to save her daughter, but she was coughing and struggling for breath.
Both children were checked by Euless Medics and were unharmed.
"We are American citizens, originally from Palestine, and I don't know where to go to feel safe with my kids," Mrs. H, the mother, was quoted as saying by CAIR. "My country is at war, and we are facing this hate here. My daughter is traumatized; whenever I open the apartment door, she runs away and hides, telling me she is afraid the lady will come and drown her again."
The Euless Police Department confirmed to CNN that Wolf posted bail from Tarrant County Jail.
The bond for the Attempted Capital Murder charge was set at $25,000, while the bond for the Injury to a Child charge was $15,000, according to Captain Brenda Alvarado.
It remains uncertain if Wolf has legal representation.
CAIR requests a hate-crime investigation, a higher bail bond, and a dialogue with officials to address the concerning rise in Islamophobia, anti-Arab, and anti-Palestinian sentiments, stated Shaimaa Zayan, CAIR's Austin operations manager.
Texas Representative Salman Bhojani voiced his shock and dismay over this alleged racist, Islamophobic incident, claiming "Hate has no place in Euless, District 92, or anywhere in our great state," according to the news release. "I want to thank Euless PD for swiftly apprehending the alleged offender, and I offer my assistance to the affected family."
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The involved family, being identified as Muslim and Palestinian by CAIR Texas, is urging for a hate crime investigation due to their perceived ethnicity and religious beliefs. Despite being charged with public intoxication, Elizabeth Wolf, who allegedly attempted to drown the 3-year-old, made discriminatory remarks towards the victim's mother due to her appearance.
