An Iowa woman pleaded guilty Wednesday for attempting to murder two children because of their race, according to a Department of Justice press release.
Nicole Franklin said she ran over the Black boy and Latina girl because she thought the girl was “Mexican” and boy was part of the Islamic State https://t.co/qrwfLCvW2X
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) April 22, 2021
According to the guilty plea, Nicole Poole Franklin, 42, drove her Jeep Grand Cherokee over a curb in Des Moines, Iowa into two children she believed were of Middle Eastern or African descent, according to the DOJ press release.
A 12-year-old boy was struck and suffered minor leg injuries, according to the Des Moines Register. Poole Franklin said she thought he was part of the Islamic State terrorist group, according to statements she provided Wednesday, the Des Moines Register reported. (RELATED: Senate Passes Sweeping Bill Aiming To Crack Down On Hate Crimes)
Prosecutors said Poole Franklin inflicted “cuts, bruises and swelling” on the first boy, she hit another child, 14, because of her race. According to the DOJ, Poole thought victim was Mexican. The girl sustained a concussion, bruises and cuts as a result of the impact.
Poole Franklin faces the possibility of life in prison, according to the DOJ press release.