BANGOR, Maine – Disturbing details have emerged from court documents regarding the tragic death of a 10-year-old child in Bangor. Braxtyn Smith, weighing only 48 pounds, was found with bruises and burns when he passed away in the hospital on February 18. His parents, Joshua Smith, 33, and Jem Bean, 35, along with his grandmother, Mistie Latourette, 56, have all been charged with depraved indifference murder.
Advocates and officials have expressed shock and disgust at the horrific abuse described in the affidavits. Braxtyn Smith was reportedly kept restrained with zip ties in their home, even while he slept or used the bathroom. Furthermore, he was homeschooled by his grandmother, Latourette, who is also facing murder charges.
Additional harrowing details reveal that Braxtyn Smith was subjected to physical abuse, food deprivation, and inhumane living conditions. His thin and malnourished state painted a grim picture of the neglect he suffered. The night before his death, his mother claimed he was sick and barely breathing, eventually leading to his tragic passing at such a young age.
Former state lawmaker Bill Diamond, founder of Walk a Mile in Their Shoes, emphasized the need to shed light on such cases to prevent similar tragedies. The horrific nature of Braxtyn Smith’s injuries, including evidence of sodomy and signs of battered child syndrome, underscores the severity of the abuse he endured.
During their initial court appearance, Bean, Joshua Smith, and Latourette remained in custody as the legal process unfolds. The heartbreaking story of Braxtyn Smith serves as a wake-up call to raise awareness about child abuse and the importance of early intervention and protection for vulnerable children. The tragic loss of Braxtyn Smith highlights the urgent need for vigilant community members and authorities to prevent such heinous acts from recurring in the future.