An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
