Kansas authorities say they’ll appeal a state district court’s decision ordering them to remove a child molester’s name from the offender registry.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt said Thursday he will fight for the integrity of the state’s offender registry law. He says his office will also appeal a ruling that allowed the plaintiff anonymity.

Schmidt says the registry is designed to protect the public, particularly children.

Shawnee County Judge Larry Hendricks ruled Tuesday that Kansas law ostracizes offenders and requires them to remain registered longer than necessary. But his ruling applied only to the man who sued the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Johnson County sheriff’s office over ending his registering requirement.

Nearly 11,600 people are now on the state registry for crimes involving sex, drugs or violence.