A person who laced treats with sedative and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
