BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- No charges have been filed against a middle school teacher who was arrested after he was suspected of being drunk in the classroom, according to the Kern County District Attorney's Office.

Larry Michaels, a sixth-grade teacher at Curran Middle School, faced one misdemeanor count of public intoxication and one misdemeanor count of public cruelty to a child.

The District Attorney's Office said in a report submitted to them, the principal stated he smelled alcohol on Michaels' breath. But because the principal sent Michaels back to the classroom, and no chemical test was ever conducted, the District Attorney's Office said they would not be able to prove the charges in court.

Michaels was cleared to go back to teaching last week, according to the Bakersfield City School. District. However, the 20-year teaching veteran chose not to return to Curran Middle school.

Parent Candi Jackson thinks Michaels should not be back teaching at all.

"I think he abused the system. A lot of the children, I know felt very uncomfortable being in his class with him," said Jackson.

Phillip Brown of the Bakersfield Elementary Teachers Association said Michaels was taking medicine prescribed to him by his doctor at the time of his arrest, but those issues have since been worked out.

Brown said he has spoken to Michaels by phone and he is in good spirits.

"He is good. He is looking forward to new challenges with the new school site and he may make a career out of it out there. He has another 15 years to go so he's excited," said Brown.