A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
