(AP) — Hawaiʻi is appealing a recent ruling that allowed a lawsuit to proceed by siblings who say the death of their brother could have been prevented. The lawsuit filed by the siblings of Peter Kema after a court-appointed special master found that the boy and his siblings were returned to their parents’ home despite multiple removals for possible child abuse. The state tried to have the case thrown out, saying the family filed the lawsuit too late. A judge sided with the siblings. Hawaiʻi News Now reports the appeal could add years to the case. The state attorney general’s office declined to comment.

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(AP Photo/Jennifer Sinco Kelleher)