(Photo Courtesy: William Floyd School District)

Shirley, NY (SmithtownRadio.com) – Suffolk County Police today arrested a Shirley woman after she allegedly encouraged a 12-year-old girl to fight another child outside of William Floyd Elementary School on September 11.

Daphne Melin, 32, encouraged a 12-year-old girl to fight with another 12-year-old girl during a dispute that took place outside of William Floyd Elementary School, located at 111 Lexington Road in Shirley, at approximately 3 p.m. on September 11, Suffolk police say. As the fight was taking place, Melin shouted encouragement to one of the girls and made no effort to stop the fight.

After the fight ended, Melin cursed at and spit at another child who had been part of a group that had gathered to watch the incident, a police report said. Melin kicked that girl and kneed her in the neck and head twice.

Following an investigation by Seventh Precinct Crime Section officers, Melin, of 30 Holly Lane, Shirley, was arrested today and charged with three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and one count of Attempted Assault 3rd Degree

Melin was released on bail and will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on December 1, 2011