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Hawaii

Father of boy missing 20 years pleads guilty to manslaughter

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    This June 6, 2016 photo taken in Honolulu shows a bumper sticker Hawaii officials distributed in a campaign for a Hawaii boy who disappeared 20 years ago. The child, known as "Peter Boy," became the face of missing and abused children in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The father of the boy is expected to appear in court for a hearing Wednesday, April 5, 2017, where it's possible he'll accept a plea deal in the murder case against him. (AP Photo/Jennifer Sinco Kelleher) (The Associated Press)

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    This June 6, 2016 photo taken in Honolulu shows a bumper sticker Hawaii officials distributed in a campaign for a Hawaii boy who disappeared 20 years ago. The child, known as "Peter Boy," became the face of missing and abused children in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The father of the boy is expected to appear in court for a hearing Wednesday, April 5, 2017, where it's possible he'll accept a plea deal in the murder case against him. (AP Photo/Jennifer Sinco Kelleher) (The Associated Press)

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    Peter Kema Sr., left, pleads guilty to manslaughter and first-degree hindering prosecution in the death of his son, Peter Kema Jr., also known as "Peter Boy," who went missing in 1997, in Hilo Circuit Court in Hilo, Hawaii on Wednesday, April 5, 2017. Peter Kema Sr. also agreed to a 20-year prison sentence, with a mandatory minimum of six years and eight months if he helps authorities find the remains of his son, Peter Jr., who was 6 when he disappeared. (Hollyn Johnson/Hawaii Tribune-Herald via AP, Pool) (The Associated Press)

HONOLULU – The father of a Hawaii boy who went missing 20 years ago has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and hindering prosecution.

Peter Kema Sr. had been expected to face a murder trial this month before taking a plea deal that requires him to provide information about the location of the boy's body.

He also agreed Wednesday to a 20-year prison sentence with a mandatory minimum of six years and eight months.

His wife, Jaylin Kema, pleaded guilty to manslaughter last year.

Prosecutors say 6-year-old Peter suffered years of abuse. They say his mother didn't get him medical attention because she was afraid of her husband. She said in court that she failed to protect her son.

The Kemas had long been suspects, but prosecutors didn't have enough evidence to charge them with murder until last year.
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