Bangor, Maine Parents & Grandmother Plead Guilty After Child’s Tragic Death

The parents and grandmother of a 10-year-old Bangor boy have pleaded guilty to their roles in his tragic death.

Bangor, Maine 10-Year-Old Braxtyn Smith Died of Abuse and Neglect

Three people faced charges in connection with Braxtyn Smith's death in 2024, including his mother, Jem Bean; his father, Joshua Smith; and his paternal grandmother, Mistie Latourette.

All three were initially charged with depraved indifference murder in February 2024.

Court documents state Braxtyn weighed only 48 pounds when doctors worked to save his life, after his mother and grandmother rushed him to the hospital.

His body was bruised and showed evidence of having been burned.

Bangor, Maine, Woman Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter for Death of Her Son

WGME-TV reports that Bean said Braxtyn was defiant and had to be restrained with zip ties, even when sleeping or using the bathroom.

In February 2026, two years after the boy's death, Jem Bean entered a plea of guilty for the lesser charge of manslaughter.

According to the BDN, Bean's attorney says her actions were not depraved indifference but better described as criminally negligent.

She allegedly told authorities early in the investigation that she didn't agree with Smith's decision to zip tie the boy or withhold food from him.

Her attorney said she may be called to testify against Smith and Latourette during their trials.

That won't happen now because both the father and the grandmother have entered pleas of their own.

Bangor, Maine Man and His Mother Plead Guilty for Their Roles in 10-Year-Old's Death

Joshua Smith submitted a request to the court earlier this month to change his original plea to guilty by reason of insanity.

Just two days later, WABI-TV reports he changed that plea to guilty for the charge of murder.

Mistie LaTourette also avoided a trial by pleading guilty to manslaughter just days before her trial was set to begin.

All three will be sentenced at a later date.

We'll update this story as more details become available.