Bangor, Maine – New court documents have shed light on the tragic death of a 10-year-old child in Bangor, revealing shocking details of abuse and neglect. Affidavits unveiled a disturbing pattern of mistreatment against Braxtyn Smith, who tragically passed away on February 18, weighing only 48 pounds and showing signs of severe bruising and burn injuries.
A former state lawmaker and advocate, Bill Diamond, expressed deep concern and called for increased awareness of such cases to prevent future tragedies. The accused individuals, 33-year-old Joshua Smith, 35-year-old Jem Bean, and 56-year-old Mistie Latourette, have all been charged with depraved indifference murder in connection to Braxtyn’s death.
According to the court documents, Braxtyn was allegedly restrained with zip ties by his parents, Joshua Smith and Jem Bean, who claimed they did so to control his behavior, even while he slept or used the bathroom. Moreover, Braxtyn’s grandmother, Mistie Latourette, who was responsible for his homeschooling, reportedly subjected him to further abuse, including withholding food as punishment and hitting him in the head for discipline.
Additional details from the court filings revealed that Braxtyn’s mother reported him to be sick on the night before his death, stating that he was vomiting and struggling to breathe. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, Braxtyn tragically passed away after being taken to the hospital.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has classified Braxtyn Smith’s death as a homicide, noting evidence of sodomy and injuries consistent with battered child syndrome. The trio accused of his murder made their first court appearance and are currently in custody.
Bill Diamond emphasized the need for the community to be vigilant and proactive in recognizing and reporting cases of child abuse to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. The disturbing case of Braxtyn Smith serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children and intervening in potentially dangerous situations before it’s too late.