Bangor father pleads guilty to murder of 10-year-old son
Bangor Man Pleads Guilty to Murder in Son’s Death
Penobscot County – Joshua Smith, 35, of Bangor, entered a guilty plea to murder Thursday morning in Penobscot County Superior Court, acknowledging his role in the death of his 10‑year‑old son, Braxtyn Smith. A spokesperson for the Maine Attorney General’s Office confirmed the plea but declined to provide further details about the case.
Smith was among three family members arrested in 2024 and charged with depraved‑indifference murder in connection with Braxtyn’s death. His admission brings the number of relatives who have pleaded guilty in the case to two.
The mother, Jem Beam, 37, entered a guilty plea to manslaughter in February 2026. Beam’s conviction followed a separate plea agreement that addressed her involvement in the child’s death. Her sentencing is pending.
The third defendant, Smith’s mother‑in‑law, Mistie Latourette, has maintained her innocence. Latourette, who is also 37, pleaded not guilty to murder and is scheduled to meet with a judge Friday morning. Court records indicate a bench trial may be set for the following week.
Background of the Abuse
According to a police affidavit authored by Detective Shannon Farrar, Braxtyn suffered months of abuse before being taken to an emergency room on the morning of February 18, 2024. The boy lived with both parents and a sibling, whose identity remains redacted. He was homeschooled.
Medical staff at the initial ER reported that Braxtyn was covered in bruises, severely malnourished, and underweight for his age. They also noted that he was vomiting what appeared to be dry pet food.
Despite the emergency treatment, Braxtyn was transferred later that night to another hospital’s pediatric unit, where he died. The deputy chief medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, describing injuries consistent with battered‑child syndrome. An autopsy revealed burn marks, additional bruises, and evidence of sexual abuse.
Family Members’ Actions and Statements
In interviews, Latourette’s attorney, Christopher MacLean, said his client was not directly accused of inflicting physical harm on Braxtyn. MacLean reported that Latourette admitted purchasing zip ties and acknowledged that the boy’s parents used them to restrain him. He also recounted that Latourette described a discipline method known as a “Gibbs slap,” referencing a television character’s practice of striking someone on the back of the head. According to the affidavit, Latourette suggested to Joshua Smith that withholding food could be used as punishment for the child.
The case has drawn attention from local officials and child‑protection advocates. While the Attorney General’s Office has not released a detailed statement, court documents highlight the extensive nature of the abuse and the multiple family members implicated in Braxtyn’s death.
Next Steps
The plea by Joshua Smith is expected to be formally accepted by the court later this week. Sentencing for Smith and Beam will be scheduled after pre‑sentence investigations. Latourette’s case remains pending, with a judge’s conference set for Friday and a possible bench trial slated for early next week.
The ongoing proceedings continue to unfold as investigators and prosecutors work to piece together the full scope of the alleged crimes.
