SKOWHEGAN – A judge declared a mistrial Thursday in the case against a former kindergarten teacher accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl.

The prosecution and the defense expressed disappointment in the ruling. Jarrod LeBlanc, 31, of Madison said he feels in limbo, not able to get a teaching job, without custody of his son and facing the prospect of another trial.

The outcome means that LeBlanc could be retried, charges would be dropped or a plea agreement could be worked out.

“Obviously a hung jury is a disappointment to both sides, for the sake of the victim, for the sake of the people involved, for the sake of the defense,” said Assistant District Attorney Alan Kelley.

LeBlanc, who taught at Solon Elementary School, was arrested last March on charges of gross sexual assault and unlawful sexual contact.

Police began investigating LeBlanc after receiving reports that he was seen holding hands and kissing a pupil, according to an affidavit.

A long line of witnesses, including LeBlanc and the alleged victim, testified during the six-day trial in Somerset County Superior Court.

Defense lawyer Daniel G. Lilley of Portland said a mistrial was a disappointment, but said he planned to poll the jurors.

He said if the margin was overwhelmingly in favor of a not guilty verdict, prosecutors might decide not to try the case a second time.

LeBlanc said he wasn’t sure he could afford to pay Lilley to defend him again. The $45,000 cost of his defense forced him to remove money from his son’s college education fund and cash in his own retirement, LeBlanc said.

He said the alleged victim had made up stories about their relationship for the benefit of her friends and had never meant for the falsehoods to go so far.

“I don’t hold anything against the girl,” he said.

The grandmother of the alleged victim said she was disappointed with the jury decision.

“I think it should be retried,” she said. “If it is the truth, it is the truth.”