A person who laced treats with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
