MERCED, Calif. (AP) — A California sheriff says a "screw-up" led to the mistaken release of an inmate who had pleaded guilty to child molestation. The Merced Sun-Star reported Thursday that Merced County jailers mistakenly allowed 38-year-old Primitivo Gonzalez to post bail on Nov. 22. Gonzalez had pleaded guilty to repeatedly molesting a 5-year-old girl. A judge had ordered him held without bail until sentencing, when he faced 35 years-to-life in prison. Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke says he takes responsibility for the mistaken release and has taken steps to prevent a repeat. The sheriff defends not making public the man's release.