An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She said Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
