Jaylin Kema sentenced to probation in ‘Peter Boy’ case

A tearful Jaylin Kema was sentenced to 10 years probation Tuesday for her role in the 1997 death of her son, Peter Kema Jr., also known as “Peter Boy.”

Hilo Circuit Judge Henry Nakamoto also sentenced the 47-year-old woman to a year in jail, time she has already served, on the manslaughter charge.

She was also ordered to make $16,687 in restitution in a separate theft case for illegally receiving public assistance.

None of Jaylin Kema’s children were in court for her sentencing. Kema, who has lost part of her left leg to diabetes walked into and out of court with the help of a prosthesis. She was accompanied by a service dog.

Kema told the judge she knows she deserves prison for keeping details of the child’s abuse and his death secret from authorities and the public for almost two decades. She said she loves her family and apologized, through tears, to her children and parents.

Nakamoto said he was conflicted about the plea deal made between Kema and prosecutors. He expressed concern that she didn’t seek medical assistance for Peter Boy, who died from septic shock after being chronically abused almost from birth, and that she failed to come forward with details of the boy’s death for almost 20 years.

The search continues for Peter Boy’s remains on a stretch of Puna coastline, and the boy’s father, Peter Kema Sr. is scheduled to be sentenced for manslaughter on July 24, and faces a possible 20 years imprisonment on the charge. He has also agreed to undergo a polygraph examination to determine his truthfulness if the boy’s remains aren’t found. He could get an extra five years in prison for hindering prosecution if he is found to be uncooperative.

A full story will appear in Wednesday’s Tribune-Herald.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.