A man who laced treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the police a second time.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
