Suspect Released From County Jail in Foul-Up

A woman held on a heroin charge was inadvertently released late Wednesday from the Orange County Women’s Jail, the result of a mistake in processing her records, Sheriff’s Lt. Bob Rivas said.

The mistaken release of Cheryl Deannen Sanders, 19, of Santa Ana came after the escape Sunday of murder suspect Robert Joseph Clark, 23, of Palm Springs and convicted killer Ivan Von Staich, 29, of Lake Elsinore, who overpowered a lone deputy at the combined men’s and women’s central jail.

Earlier Wednesday, Sanders had been returned to the jail at 550 N. Flower St. by sheriff’s deputies after appearing in Central Municipal Court, Rivas said.

During her court appearance, several drug-related charges were dropped, but Sanders was ordered to return to Superior Court on Feb. 10 on one remaining felony charge of being under the influence of heroin, Rivas said.

While Sanders’ records were being processed, jailers failed to notice that she was to remain in custody pending her next court appearance, Rivas said. Sanders’ bail was set at $10,000, but “she had never posted bail,” he said.

Sheriff’s investigators were trying to locate Sanders Thursday, Rivas said. She had been arrested by Garden Grove police and booked at the jail on Jan. 16.