A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
