BANGOR, Maine — The parents and paternal grandmother of a boy killed in Bangor in February appeared before a judge Friday.
The child's father Joshua Smith, mother Jem Bean, and grandmother Mistie Latourette have been charged with depraved indifference murder in connection with the homicide death of 10-year-old Braxtyn Smith.
All three are being held on $300,000 bail each at the Penobscot County Jail and appeared via Zoom in the courtroom Friday for their arraignment.
According to Bangor police and court documents, the boy was brought to the emergency room at St. Joseph Hospital on Feb. 18, where nurses there alerted Department of Health and Human Services officials. Court documents show the boy needed to be resuscitated there before he was brought to nearby Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, where he died of his injuries later that night.
Unsealed court documents detail alleged abuse the young child reportedly suffered.
According to the affidavit, the 10-year-old was severely underweight for his age and had bruises on his face and body. Documents went on to say family members often used zip ties to restrain the young child inside the home.
Court documents say the boy's mother, Jem Bean, told medical professionals that her son woke up from a nap feeling sick, and later collapsed in the show, which prompted her to bring him to the hospital.
The court affidavit states the child had multiple visible bruises on his body, face, abdomen, and extremities, and hospital staff reportedly told investigators the bruises did not appear to be caused by accidents.
Documents go on to say the boy's CT scan showed bleeding on his brain and skull.
Court filings indicate hospital staff told the investigator Braxtyn appeared to be malnourished, weighing just 48 pounds when brought to the hospital.
The three family members facing murder charges in connection with the boy's homicide did not enter pleas Friday, and the judge ordered the defendants no have no communication with each other or with another child born to Joshua Smith and Jem Bean.
The next court date for the accused has not yet been set.