Parents of a Hawaii boy who has been missing for nearly 20 years have pleaded not guilty to murder charges.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports that in two separate courtrooms on Friday 46-year-old Jaylin Kema and her 45-year-old husband, Peter Kema Sr., pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder.

The boy's parents have long been suspects in the 1997 disappearance of then 6-year-old Peter Kema Jr., known as "Peter Boy," but prosecutors say there hadn't been enough evidence to charge them until now.

READ: Parents indicted in cold case murder of Hawaiian boy

Peter Kema Sr. had told authorities he took his son to Oahu and gave him to a longtime family friend.

Jaylin Kema's trial has been scheduled for Aug. 22, while her husband has a Sept. 19 date.