A person who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
