The death of 10-year-old Braxtyn Smith led to a lengthy child abuse investigation that ultimately resulted in guilty pleas from three family members. Prosecutors alleged that Braxtyn endured prolonged neglect, physical abuse, and restraint before his death in February 2024. The case shocked communities across Maine and became one of the state’s most disturbing child homicide investigations.
Authorities first became involved after Braxtyn was transported to medical facilities in Bangor on February 18, 2024. Hospital staff immediately raised concerns about the boy’s condition, reporting that he appeared severely underweight and showed signs of extensive physical trauma. Medical personnel documented numerous bruises and injuries, prompting law enforcement and child welfare investigators to launch an emergency inquiry.
As detectives gathered evidence, they learned that Braxtyn had been living with his father, Joshua Smith, his mother, Jem Bean, and his grandmother, Mistie Latourette. Investigators interviewed witnesses, reviewed medical findings, and examined the family’s living conditions. According to court documents, multiple witnesses described the child being deprived of food, isolated from others, and restrained with zip ties as a form of punishment.
The autopsy revealed extensive evidence of abuse. Medical examiners documented severe malnutrition, injuries consistent with repeated physical trauma, abrasions on the wrists and ankles, pressure sores, hair loss associated with stress and starvation, and signs of brain injury. Authorities concluded that Braxtyn’s condition reflected prolonged mistreatment rather than a single isolated incident. Prosecutors later stated that evidence would have shown the child was sometimes forced to sleep in a bathroom while restrained.
During the investigation, family members admitted to using zip ties to bind Braxtyn during what they described as behavioral episodes. Witnesses also reported seeing the child eat food from trash containers and consume pet food. Detectives worked to establish a timeline showing the pattern of neglect and abuse that prosecutors argued ultimately led to his death.
Facing overwhelming evidence, the defendants eventually entered guilty pleas. Braxtyn’s mother, Jem Bean, pleaded guilty to manslaughter earlier in 2025. His grandmother, Mistie Latourette, later pleaded guilty to manslaughter as well. Just days before trial, Braxtyn’s father, Joshua Smith, pleaded guilty to depraved indifference murder, eliminating the need for a jury trial.
For investigators and prosecutors, the guilty pleas marked the conclusion of a heartbreaking case built through medical evidence, witness testimony, forensic findings, and months of investigative work. While the criminal proceedings have largely concluded, the case remains a tragic reminder of the importance of recognizing and reporting signs of child abuse before they escalate into irreversible tragedy.
