BANGOR, Maine — The grandmother of a boy who died in February after he was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries was arraigned Friday. She and the boy's parents face murder charges in connection with his death.
Mistie Latourette, 56, pleaded not guilty to a charge of depraved indifference murder Friday in a Penobscot County court in connection with the death of 10-year-old Braxtyn Smith. The other suspects in the homicide include Smith's mother, Jem Bean, and his father, Joshua Smith. The three cases are being handled separately.
State prosecutors said in court Friday they would need to coordinate with attorneys representing Bean's and Smith's case before setting a trial date for Latourette.
According to Bangor police and court documents, Braxtyn was taken to the emergency room at St. Joseph Hospital on Feb. 18. Nurses there alerted Maine Department of Health and Human Services officials. Court documents show the boy needed to be resuscitated there before being later taken to nearby Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, where he died of his injuries later that night.
Court documents detail medical examiners observed several bruises on Braxtyn's face and body, as well as alleged abuse he suffered at home. A CT scan also showed bleeding on smith's brain and skull.
The official documents further detailed the 10-year-old was severely underweight for his age and went on to say family members often used zip ties to restrain the young child inside the home.
Those unsealed records revealed Braxtyn was homeschooled, and many people in the community never interacted with him.
Bangor community members who never met Braxtyn held a vigil for him in March, expressing how alone he must've felt.
"If only we had heard your cries sooner," Johanna Sanford said. "Braxtyn, you are loved. So very loved."
It's unclear when Latourette's trial date will be set.