HILO — The mother of Peter Kema Jr., also known as “Peter Boy,” made an unexpected court appearance Tuesday afternoon.
Jaylin Kema was given a warning by Acting Hilo Circuit Judge Henry Nakamoto for violating terms of her probation for manslaughter for the 1997 death of the chronically abused child and a separate welfare fraud conviction.
The warning came less than five weeks after she was sentenced.
Nakamoto said in court that Kema’s probation officer reported that the 47-year-old woman reported late for a scheduled meeting, not at all for another, changed her phone number without notifying the Probation Office and tested positive for THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.
“I understand that you have certain medical conditions and issues, but I want to again tell you and warn you that being on probation is a serious matter and there are certain things you need to comply with. You understand that?” the judge said.
“Yes,” Kema replied.
“And you understand that if you fail to comply, the court may eventually consider revoking your probation … and the court would look at possible prison time. You understand that?”
“Yes,” Kema replied.
Nakamoto ordered Kema to meet with her probation officer immediately after the hearing.
Kema, who cooperated with police and prosecutors after being indicted for murder last year with her husband, Peter Kema Sr., was sentenced to 10 years probation with a year in jail, already served, after pleading guilty to manslaughter for failing to seek medical attention for her son. Prosecutors said Peter Boy likely died of septic shock from a severely infected arm wound as the result of physical abuse by Kema Sr., the boy’s father.
Peter Boy went missing in 1997. Police and prosecutors have long thought the child was dead.
Kema Sr. also pleaded guilty to manslaughter plus hindering prosecution for lying to authorities about the boy’s whereabouts. He’s scheduled to be sentenced Monday at 8 a.m. by Hilo Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura. Terms of his plea deal call for him to receive a 20-year prison term. A polygraph found the 46-year-old Kema Sr. to be truthful when he led them to a remote stretch of Puna coastline where he said he put the boy’s body in the ocean.
Despite an extensive search, Peter Boy’s remains haven’t been found.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.