A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant proceeded to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She stated the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
