An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She said the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
