Authorities say they received a call of an alleged fight outside of Garfield Elementary School around 3:25 p.m. Monday, just an hour after classes ended.
Police say Treyvone Towns, 37, encouraged his daughter to start a fight with a 13-year-old female victim.
"The two 13-year-old classmates start to fight. During which time, some students and an administrator tried to break up the fight," said Alhambra Police Sgt. Jerry Johnson. "The father, either accidentally or on purpose in trying to grab his daughter, injured a student who was in the area -- a bystander."
According to police, Towns only intervened when his daughter no longer had the upper hand.
"It appears from the witness statements that his daughter was getting the worst of it," Johnson said.
The 13-year-old victim and the bystander suffered minor injuries, but were not transported to the hospital.
Parents at Garfield Elementary School were appalled at the idea that a father would encourage his child to fight.
"I feel it's a bit ridiculous," said parent Jesse Velez. "Why any parent would encourage their child to fight is beyond me. These schools are supposed to have a zero-tolerance policy."
School officials say they have a program in place called Gateway to Success on campus to help students resolve conflict peacefully.
Assistant superintendent Marsha Gilbert says she expect parents to be on board.
"There is no reason to fall into conflict of this kind. This is not the way to handle conflict," said Gilbert. "Being a good role model for the youth of our community is extremely important. And it's very important for parents as well as teachers and everyone to have that in mind."
Gateway to Success Director Dr. Laurel Bear says the program offers children a variety of methods when it comes to intervention, including religious support.
"We provide strategies so that our young people have protective factors," said Bear. "They have coping mechanisms, they're able to use their words. We do a lot of mentoring and role modeling with both our clinicians and faith-based community."
Towns was booked on two felony counts of corporal injury to a child and threatening a school official. He was released after posting a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Alhambra Court on Dec. 6.
Towns' 13-year-old daughter was arrested for battery and released to a family member.
Police say they do not know what sparked the fight. School officials are working with the Alhambra Police Department and plan on taking further disciplinary action.
