An individual who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, 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 one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She stated the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
