Key points from the Peter Boy Kema documents
Advertiser Staff
The state Child Welfare Services records that trace much of the life of Peter Boy Kema Jr. were released by the state Department of Human Services on its Web site at www.state.hi.us/dhs. The documents — about 2,000 pages — are split into 39 parts. Some of the key revelations from the documents:
Key point
Peter Jr.'s sister reports seeing boy's body twice
Summary
The sister revealed the chilling details in a psychological evaluation conducted in June 1998
Excerpt
Psychologist Steven Choy said the child "reports that she saw Peter Boy in a box 'dead' in her parents' closet and they 'took' the box to Honolulu."
Also, she "reported that she saw Peter Boy 'dead' in her father's car trunk, although she reports that she thinks Peter Boy is now alive in Honolulu."
Key point
Big Island Family Court documents show Peter Boy and two siblings placed in a temporary foster home after Peter Boy was admitted to Hilo Hospital on Aug. 11, 1991, with injuries consistent with child abuse.
Summary
The doctors reported that some injuries had healed over time even though the boy was less than four months old. Other injuries included fractured ribs; left hip pushed out of its socket; left knee and femur damage; and other joint and bone injuries.
Excerpt
In August 1991, guardian ad litem Edith Kawai Radl recommends that the children be removed immediately from the home after Peter Boy's suspected abuse landed him in the hospital. She recommended that DHS seriously consider termination of parental rights as a viable option "sooner rather than later."
Key point
In November 1991, clinical psychologist John Wingert described Peter Boy's parents as emotionally reactive and unstable and displaying marked psychological disturbance.
Summary
Wingert said the likelihood of significant change was extremely poor without a dramatic turnaround.
Excerpt
"Jaylin and Peter both come across as extremely emotionally needy and immature persons who are evasive of responsibility and who displace the source of difficulties onto others. They appeared to be so wrapped up in their own adjustment problems and unhappiness to the point that this compromises their ability to be empathetic and understanding of the children's needs. ... Peter and Jaylin are seen at very high risk for future abusive behavior."
Key point
The documents show numerous complaints to Child Protective Services with various allegations of abuse and neglect.
Summary
One report dated April 23, 1998, included an interview with other children who said that Peter Boy was sick a lot.
Excerpt
The interviewer wrote: "The parents kept him home from school and wouldn't let him play with the kids. I asked them where do you think Peter Jr. is? ... They got fearful, real fearful."
Key point
The documents give different dates for when Peter Boy was last seen alive that begin in January 1997.
Summary
The documents contain a copy of a handwritten note from Peter Kema Sr. dated Sept. 11, 1997, handing over rights to Peter Boy to a mysterious relative of his who was never located.
Excerpt
"To whom it may concern: I Peter Kema Sr. do give up all parental rights for my son Peter Kema Jr. to my aunty Rose Makuakane. I am seeking the best care for my son at this time. I am unable to care for his welfare and I will know his needs will be met." Peter J. Kema Sr.
