BANGOR, Maine — Mourners gathered along the Bangor waterfront Saturday for a candlelight vigil to honor the life of Braxtyn Smith, a 10-year-old boy who police say was killed by his parents and paternal grandmother last month in Bangor. All three family members have been charged with depraved indifference murder in Smith’s death.
"I have nightmares. I haven’t had nightmares in years," Matt McKeen, the organizer of the event and survivor of child abuse, said Saturday.
Though McKeen didn’t know Braxtyn personally, he felt obligated to host an event to remember the young boy and carry on his legacy.
"Unfortunately, he was alone. … [But] he wasn’t really alone, and he definitely isn’t alone now," McKeen added. "There were a lot of people here tonight that showed their love and support."
A short bible reading from a local pastor gave way to several speeches focusing both on grief and the need to be an attentive neighbor to possible child abuse.
Court documents show Braxtyn was homeschooled, leading some at the vigil to call on the state, and specifically the Department of Health and Human Services, to better monitor homeschooled children.
"Kids that are homeschooled need more checkups. It needs to be mandated more," Lynnae Chaput, who attended the vigil, said. "It just needs to change."
NEWS CENTER Maine filed a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain any records showing contact between DHHS and Braxtyn or his family. The agency denied the request, citing confidentiality laws.
Of the many things that drew neighbors to come out in the cold on a Saturday evening, there was a common desire to remember and celebrate the life of a child who allegedly endured tremendous cruelty at the hands of the ones tasked with caring for him.
As Johanna Sanford told the crowd, "Braxtyn, you are loved, so very loved."