A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
