An individual who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, 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 told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the police once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
