What to Know
Braxtyn Smith died on February 18, 2024, at a Bangor, Maine, hospital. His body showed signs of extensive, long-term abuse. Investigators immediately began looking into his death and found three adults who should’ve loved and cared for Braxtyn were in fact responsible for his death. Prosecutors charged his mother, 35-year-old Jem Bean, his father, 33-year-old Joshua Smith, and his grandmother, 56-year-old Mistie Latourette, with depraved indifference murder. What prosecutors learned about the case is truly heart-wrenching.
Braxtyn’s home life was apparently very difficult.
According to court documents obtained by WMTW, Braxtyn weighed just 48 pounds at the time of his death. He reportedly survived by eating pet food. When he arrived at the hospital in February 2024, staff claimed he was vomiting, and it looked and smelled like pet food. Braxtyn weighed 7% below the lowest recommended percentage for his age. His tiny body had bruises and burn marks all over it. Bean told police the child caused injuries to himself during “tantrums.”
Text records revealed disturbing details.
WGME shared a text exchange in court documents between Smith and Bean that painted a much different picture.
“There some reason you couldn’t be bothered to zip tie everything your supposed to huh?” Joshua Smith wrote to Bean.
“What did I miss? I did his ankles to the tote and his hands together behind his back,” Bean said.
Fox ABC Maine reported Braxtyn’s body showed signs of physical and sexual abuse. An autopsy confirmed his death was consistent with “battered child syndrome.”
Braxtyn’s death saddened his community.
“I shared a home with him and his parents when he was four or five years old. He was always a sweet, silly, and loving little guy. He would spend his days curled up in my bedroom playing video games, watching movies, eating snacks, and just telling stories to me and my dogs. He was such a bright kid. I moved out, and never had contact with Braxtyn or his parents again. His mother used to be a really good friend of mine,” a loved one shared on Facebook. “I never would have thought she would have been capable of hurting her babies. My heart has been breaking sense hearing of B’s death. I wish I could have known and saved him. I pray every day for full justice for my sweet little buddy. Rest easy little man. We’re all fighting for you, B. Love you always.”
Matt McKeen, a child abuse survivor organized a candlelight vigil shortly after Braxtyn’s death. Even though he didn’t know him, his heart broke for the innocent child.
“Unfortunately, he was alone,” McKeen said. “But he wasn’t really alone, and he definitely isn’t alone now. There were a lot of people here tonight that showed their love and support.”
Smith attempted an insanity plea.
WMTW reported that Smith initially wanted to plead not guilty by reason of insanity. He ultimately changed his mind and pleaded guilty to murdering Braxtyn in June 2026. Smith’s attorney, Down Brown, claimed his client felt confident in the guilty plea.
“We’ve had extensive discussions about all of Mr. Smith’s options for a long period of time, including jury trial, jury waived trial, what a plea of guilty would be, what an agreed plea of guilty based on any offer that might be made by the state, what a guilty plea of not guilty by reason of insanity would encompass, and how any and all of those things would affect court’s decision or the jury’s decision, and ultimately how those things will affect any sentencing that might occur,” Brown shared.
Per Fox ABC Maine, when asked if he felt responsible for his son’s death, Smith reportedly said, “I didn’t realize that whatever happened the way it did, happened the way it did.
A judge will sentence Smith in September 2026. Bean pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter in February 2026, and Latourette’s trial should begin in June 2026.
