CROWN POINT | Lake County prosecutors dismissed Wednesday the charges against a former Gary physical education teacher accused of fondling a 14-year-old special education student, court officials confirmed.

John Wachel no longer faces a felony count of sexual misconduct with a minor for the alleged 2007 incident.

The 49-year-old Hammond man was a teacher at Tolleston Middle School when he was accused of watching a 14-year-old-girl change in the girl's locker room where he had an office. He also was accused of grabbing her, then making inappropriate comments, court records state.

Lake County prosecutors declined to move forward with the case following interviews with the alleged victim and school-aged witnesses, according to the motion to dismiss filed Wednesday in Lake Criminal Court.

"I commend the state for doing the right thing," defense attorney Kevin Milner said. "After the deposition of witnesses, I think the state realized it would not be able to meet its burden."

Milner said he did not know the status of Wachel's employment.

A representative from the Gary Community School Corp. did not returned calls Wednesday seeking comment.

Wachel was hired by the Gary Community School Corp. in 2003, and he served as a physical education teacher at Bailly Middle School and Ivanhoe Elementary School before going to Tolleston, Gary police said.

Records show Wachel also worked from 2001 to 2003 as a physical education teacher at Madison School in South Holland, Ill.