A person who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to children at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
