A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
