Tears streamed down people’s faces Saturday night on Bangor’s waterfront as they remembered the short life of Braxtyn Smith, who police say was abused and killed by his parents and grandmother.
Community members held candles and gathered around seven photos of Braxtyn as they talked about the life he could have lived and their hope that no more children experience abuse.
Braxtyn, 10, died Feb. 18 after allegedly months of abuse. His father, Joshua Smith, 33; mother, Jem Bean, 35; and grandmother, Mistie Latourette, 56, all of Bangor, are charged with depraved indifference murder in Penobscot County Superior Court for his death.
The organizers didn’t know Braxtyn — and it’s unclear how many people did because he was never in the school system — but they wanted to honor him and show him love he didn’t experience. When the crowd of about 75 people were asked if anyone was the boy’s family, no one said they were.
“My heart breaks for this,” organizer Matt McKeen said. “We are here tonight honoring this young boy’s life.”
The vigil would never have been needed if Braxtyn was Johanna Sanford’s child, she said. She didn’t know Braxtyn, but she brought up the idea of the vigil in a community Facebook page and McKeen offered to organize it.
“We would have helped you dream rather than live a nightmare,” Sanford said. “Braxtyn you are loved, so very loved.”
Mansion Church pastor Terry Dinkins asked for God to help people who are trying to process the appalling abuse Braxtyn allegedly experienced and for those healing from their own traumas.
“Lord, we ask you tonight to comfort our hearts in some way that only you can do,” Dinkins said. “We pray, Lord, for this community tonight to start to heal from this horrific evil that has been done against this young, 10-year-old boy.
Speakers asked for people to interact more with their neighbors, so they can notice if things seem wrong and report suspected abuse. One neighbor at the vigil said the blinds were always drawn and she rarely saw lights on in the mobile home Braxtyn lived in.
Sanford said she had a neighbor who would ask about her children, about why they aren’t playing outside more, but after Braxtyn’s death, she has a newfound respect for them. Be that nosey neighbor, she said.
“We will work hard to fix the broken system that let you down,” Sanford said. “You have made a big impact on our community, and we will never forget. We will continue to fight for you.
Changes need to be made to state laws to help prevent future deaths, multiple people said.
There are holes in the homeschooling system that allowed the abuse of Braxtyn to go unnoticed, community member Kathy Cheverie said.
“I appeal to everyone here. If you get the chance to stand behind and be supportive of those that are trying to have more close monitoring of homeschool children, please do so,” Cheverie said.
McKeen said he is going to fight to make changes to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and to make laws tougher for people who commit similar crimes.
“Things can get better. There’s hope,” McKeen said. “I’m hopeful that things can be done, changes can be made.”
