Jose Navarrete, 25, made it into the elephant enclosure with his daughter after passing multiple barriers, the release said.
Once the father and daughter were inside the enclosure, an elephant noticed the pair and started to trot towards them, according to the release. When Navarrete tried to exit the enclosure with his two-year-old, he dropped her but was able to pick her up.
“There were no injuries to Navarrete, his daughter, or the elephant,” the release said.
Navarrete was booked into the San Diego County Jail, according to police. He is charged with child cruelty and is currently being held on $100,000 bail.
CNN was not able to determine if he has legal representation at this time and could not reach him for comment.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact the San Diego Police Department.