Maine Family Members Plead Guilty in Child Abuse Death Case

Two family members have pleaded guilty in connection with the death of 10-year-old Braxtyn Smith of Bangor, who prosecutors say endured months of severe abuse and neglect before his death in February of 2024.

According to WVII, 35-year-old Joshua Smith, Braxtyn’s father, pleaded guilty to depraved indifference murder. His plea change came just days before his trial was scheduled to begin. Smith had previously pleaded not guilty in July of 2024 and had recently sought to change his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity before ultimately pleading guilty.

A day later, Braxtyn’s grandmother, Mistie Latourette, also pleaded guilty to depraved indifference murder. She had also previously pleaded not guilty and was scheduled to go to trial this week.

WGME explains that court records show Braxtyn died from blunt force trauma after what prosecutors described as months of abuse and neglect. Prosecutors said the abuse included starvation, physical and mental mistreatment, and the use of zip ties to restrain him.

When Braxtyn died, officials say he weighed just 48 pounds.

Assistant Attorney General Leanne Robbin said witness testimony would have shown that Braxtyn was forced to sleep in a bathroom with only a blanket. Prosecutors said his ankles were zip-tied to a storage tote and his hands were restrained behind his back.

Prosecutors also said Latourette, along with Braxtyn’s parents, was involved in starving him, restraining him, and other forms of abuse. They said she also helped conceal the abuse by making sure Braxtyn wore sunglasses in public to cover bruising on his face, WGME reported.

Authorities said the abuse largely went unnoticed because Braxtyn was homeschooled by his father and grandmother.

Braxtyn’s mother, Jem Bean, previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter for her role in his death.

Joshua Smith is expected to be sentenced later this year. Latourette is expected to be sentenced later this month.