An Iowa woman has pleaded guilty to federal hate crimes for trying to murder two children because of the color of their skin. Nicole Poole Franklin, is also facing state court attempted murder charges.

According to admissions Nicole Poole Franklin, 42, made during the hearing, on the afternoon of Dec. 9, 2019, Poole Franklin was driving her Jeep Grand Cherokee on Creston Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa, where the first child-victim was walking along the sidewalk with another young relative. Upon seeing the children and believing that the victim was of Middle Eastern or African descent, Poole Franklin drove her vehicle over the curb towards both children, striking one of them. Poole Franklin then drove away from the scene. The assault resulted in injury to the victim, including cuts, bruising, and swelling. Approximately 30 minutes later, Poole Franklin was driving her Jeep near Indian Hills Junior High School in Clive, Iowa, where the second child-victim was walking on the sidewalk. Poole Franklin, believing that the child was Mexican, drove her vehicle over the curb and struck the victim, causing serious injury, including a concussion, bruises, and cuts. Poole Franklin again drove away from the scene but was apprehended later that day.

More information:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/iowa-woman-pleads-guilty-hate-crime-charges-attempting-kill-two-children-because-their-race

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2021/04/21/des-moines-woman-hate-crime-pleads-guilty-hitting-black-latino-children-car-nicole-poole-franklin/7299782002/

https://people.com/crime/iowa-woman-pleads-guilty-to-intentionally-running-down-children-with-car-in-hate-crime/