An individual who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
