US woman sentenced to 5 years in prison for attempting to drown Palestinian toddler in pool

A 43-year-old woman has been sentenced to five years in prison for attempting to drown a 3-year-old Palestinian-American Muslim girl in what authorities described as a racially motivated attack last year.

Judge Andy Porter handed down the sentence to Elizabeth Wolf after she pleaded guilty to attempted murder and injury to a child, according to court records cited by CBS News and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Wolf, who was indicted in 2024, waived her right to a jury trial.

The attack occurred in May 2024 at a swimming pool in an apartment complex in Euless, Texas. Police reports state that Wolf approached the girl’s mother—who was at the pool with her daughter and 6-year-old son—asked where the family was from, and then attempted to drown the toddler.

She also tried to grab the older child, but their mother managed to pull both children to safety. Emergency responders later confirmed the children were unharmed.

At the time, the incident drew widespread condemnation, including from then-President Joe Biden. The case comes amid growing concern in the United States over anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian violence.

Recent incidents include the fatal stabbing of a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy in Illinois, the stabbing of a Palestinian-American man in Texas, and an attack on pro-Palestinian demonstrators in California.

There have also been assaults targeting those perceived to be Palestinian, including the shooting of two Israeli visitors in Florida and a mob attack in New York City where protesters shouted “Death to Arabs.”