Peter Kema Sr. was sentenced Monday in Hilo Circuit Court to 20 years in prison for the 1997 death of his 6-year-old son, Peter Kema Jr.
Kema, who had lied to authorities for almost 20 years about the whereabouts of the chronically abused boy, also known as “Peter Boy” and “Pepe,” didn’t address the court.
“Pepe’s death was a combination of physical abuse, child neglect and emotional abuse, including the lack of medical care for his injuries and lack of treatment, which ultimately led to septic shock,” Deputy Prosecutor Haaheo Kahoohalahala said during the brief hearing. “If (Kema Sr.) had not fought in court to get his son back, (Peter Boy) may be alive today. If he had not pulled his son out of school to hide the abuse, he may be alive today. The death of Pepe at the hands of the defendant was inexcusable. And even more inexcusable is that it took the defendant over 20 years to finally admit what he did when he changed his plea just a few months ago.”
In a deal with prosecutors, Kema pleaded guilty April 5 to manslaughter and hindering prosecution. He and his wife, Jaylin, were indicted last year for murder for the death of the child, who died of septic shock in an arm wound brought about by abuse from Kema Sr.
Jaylin Kema, who was present in the back of the courtroom gallery, also pleaded guilty to manslaughter and cooperated with authorities. She was sentenced June 13 to 10 years probation and a year in jail, which was already served.
Other members of Peter Boy’s family were also there, including his maternal grandfather, James Acol Sr., older brother, Allan Acol, and younger sister, Lina Acol.
Acol Sr. said afterwards it had been “a long journey” and the family will now look for “peace of mind” and “closure.” He also expressed surprise Kema Sr. didn’t address the court or the family.
“I thought he’d at least turn to us and look at us and apologize, say something. If you’re human, say something. He didn’t say anything. No remorse, nothing,” he said.
A more detailed version of this story will appear in Tuesday’s Tribune-Herald.
