The Bangor couple charged with charged with depraved indifference murder in the death of their 10-year-old son pleaded not guilty Friday.
Braxtyn Smith’s parents, Joshua Smith, 33, and Jem Bean, 35, appeared separately Friday at the Penobscot Judicial Center in arraignment hearings, according to News Center Maine. The boy’s paternal grandmother, Mistie Latourette, has also been charged with depraved indifference murder.
Braxtyn was taken to the emergency room at St. Joseph Hospital in Bangor on Feb. 18. He didn’t have a pulse and was not breathing when medical staff took over his care, according to court records. After he was resuscitated, he was transferred to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, where he died later that night.
Braxtyn was malnourished, underweight and had numerous injuries, including bruises to face and body and cigar burns, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit outlined the extensive abuse he allegedly suffered at the hands of his parents and grandmother, including physical abuse, having food withheld and being zip-tied while in his home.
Braxtyn was homeschooled his whole life, according to court records. He also had a sibling, who has not been identified.
Community members who didn’t know Braxtyn held a vigil for him in March.
