An individual who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
