Prosecutors told a judge Friday they want to drop sex abuse charges against two middle school boys accused of repeatedly slapping girls on the buttocks because it would be too difficult to acts were sexual in nature.

The case involving Ryan Cornelison and Cory Mashburn, both 13, had attracted national attention after The Oregonian uncovered police reports and other documents that showed other Patton Middle School students were also slapping fellow students on the bottom.

The boys had initially been charged with felonies but the charges were reduced to misdemeanors.

The case has drawn sharp criticism of Yamhill County District Attorney Brad Berry and donations from around the country to a legal defense fund for the boys that had reached $38,000 by Friday afternoon, according to the newspaper.

The boys' parents, their attorneys and many donors say the boys' behavior was inappropriate but not criminal.