COLUMBIA, Tenn. (AP) -- A school resource officer in Middle Tennessee charged six girls with a misdemeanor for taking part in a food fight at school.

A 13-year-old's father -- not identified to avoid public release of the girl's name -- told The Daily Herald in Columbia his daughter's behavior was wrong, but did not warrant a criminal charge and a police record.

The man said the incident was confined to a half-dozen girls sitting at one table on Friday at Culleoka (kul-ee-OH'-kuh) Unit School and called it an "end-of-school-year prank."

Maury County Sheriff Office Chief Deputy Ashley Brown said the misconduct charges filed by Officer Jason Fortenberry are appropriate and all six girls were cited into Juvenile Court.

Brown said the officer filed the charges in concert with the principal.

School officials declined comment on the incident.

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Information from: The Daily Herald, http://www.columbiadailyherald.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)