“I’m going to slap him … should be fun”: 10-year-old boy ate dog food, bound to chair with zip ties and was brutally murdered by his father

A horrifying child abuse case in Maine has ended with a guilty plea from a father accused of systematically abusing and ultimately killing his 10-year-old son. Prosecutors say the child endured years of starvation, physical abuse, humiliation, and restraint before his death in February 2024.

The case centers on 10-year-old Braxtyn Smith, whose death shocked investigators and the local community after authorities uncovered evidence of prolonged mistreatment inside his family’s home in Bangor, Maine. Court records reveal disturbing details about the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father, Joshua Smith, as well as the involvement of his mother and grandmother.

Joshua Smith Pleads Guilty to Murder

Joshua Smith, 35, pleaded guilty to murder in connection with the death of his son, Braxtyn Smith. The plea came as prosecutors continued to reveal the extent of the abuse the child suffered during the final years of his life.

The guilty plea follows earlier developments in the case involving other family members. Braxtyn’s mother, Jem Bean, previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter, while his grandmother, Mistie Latourette, also entered a guilty plea to manslaughter for her role in the events surrounding the child’s death.

A Child Reduced to 48 Pounds

Investigators discovered that Braxtyn was severely malnourished at the time of his death. According to court documents, the 10-year-old weighed only 48 pounds when he died.

Authorities noted that his weight was dramatically below what would be expected for a child his age. Prosecutors said the boy had been subjected to food deprivation as a form of punishment over an extended period.

Forced to Eat Dog Food

One of the most disturbing allegations uncovered during the investigation involved the family’s treatment of Braxtyn when food was withheld from him.

Detectives learned that the child was often denied regular meals as punishment. Evidence indicated that he resorted to eating dog food. Hospital staff who treated him before his death reported that he was vomiting and that the material appeared to resemble pet food and carried a similar odor.

Years of Abuse Hidden From Authorities

According to prosecutors, Braxtyn suffered approximately two years of abuse before his death. The abuse allegedly occurred inside the family’s Bangor home and went largely unnoticed by outside authorities.

Investigators later concluded that one reason the mistreatment remained undetected was because Braxtyn was being homeschooled. Without regular contact with teachers, school staff, or other mandated reporters, signs of abuse were not identified in time to intervene.

Disturbing Text Messages Revealed During Investigation

As investigators examined electronic communications among family members, they uncovered messages that prosecutors said reflected the father’s attitude toward the abuse.

“I’m Going to Slap Him … Should Be Fun”

One of the most shocking pieces of evidence involved a text message allegedly sent by Joshua Smith to Mistie Latourette.

According to court records, Smith wrote:

Prosecutors cited the message as evidence that the father not only abused his son but appeared to derive satisfaction from doing so.

Discussions About Restraining the Child

Investigators also uncovered text exchanges discussing the use of zip ties on Braxtyn.

According to court documents, Joshua Smith questioned why the child had not been fully restrained. In one message, he reportedly complained about the way the restraints had been applied.

Jem Bean allegedly responded by explaining that she had secured the boy’s ankles to a storage tote and tied his hands together behind his back. Prosecutors presented the messages as evidence that family members worked together in restraining the child.

Earlier Threats to Kill His Son

The investigation revealed that the abuse extended back years before Braxtyn’s death.

Court records showed that approximately two years earlier, Joshua Smith became angry over the boy’s schoolwork and sent a text message stating, “I’m going to kill him.”

When confronted with the message, Smith later claimed that the statement was merely sarcasm. Prosecutors, however, pointed to the message as part of a broader pattern of threats and violence directed at the child.

The Day Braxtyn Died

Braxtyn Smith died on February 18, 2024.

According to authorities, his mother and grandmother transported him to a hospital after his condition deteriorated. Medical personnel immediately noticed signs of severe physical abuse.

The child arrived with multiple bruises covering his body. Following an examination and subsequent investigation, a medical examiner determined that the death was a homicide.

Medical Findings Pointed to Abuse

Doctors and investigators documented numerous injuries consistent with repeated physical assaults.

The medical examiner’s findings, combined with witness statements, digital evidence, and family communications, led prosecutors to conclude that Braxtyn had been subjected to long-term abuse before his death. The homicide ruling ultimately became a cornerstone of the criminal case against his father and other family members.

Mother and Grandmother Also Face Consequences

The investigation did not focus solely on Joshua Smith.

Jem Bean Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter

Braxtyn’s mother, Jem Bean, pleaded guilty to manslaughter earlier in the case. Prosecutors have recommended a lengthy prison sentence, while her defense attorneys have argued for a substantially shorter term.

At the time of the latest court proceedings, her sentencing had not yet been finalized.

Grandmother Admits Role in Child’s Death

Braxtyn’s grandmother, Mistie Latourette, also entered a guilty plea to manslaughter.

Authorities alleged that she was aware of the abuse and participated in conduct that contributed to the circumstances leading to the child’s death. Her guilty plea marked another major development in the prosecution’s effort to hold all responsible parties accountable.

Sentencing Still Ahead for Joshua Smith

Although Joshua Smith has admitted guilt for murdering his son, the final chapter of the case has not yet been written.

He is scheduled to be sentenced at a later hearing. The exact length of his sentence remains to be determined, but prosecutors have emphasized the extreme nature of the abuse and the suffering endured by Braxtyn during the final years of his life.

A Case That Shocked Maine

The death of Braxtyn Smith has become one of the most disturbing child abuse cases in recent Maine history. Investigators described a pattern of starvation, physical violence, humiliation, and restraint that unfolded over years behind closed doors.

Court records paint a devastating picture of a child who was deprived of food, forced to eat dog food, restrained with zip ties, and repeatedly abused by the very people responsible for protecting him. The guilty pleas entered by his father, mother, and grandmother represent significant milestones in the pursuit of justice, but they cannot undo the suffering that Braxtyn endured before his death.

The case has also renewed discussions about child welfare oversight, homeschooling safeguards, and the importance of identifying signs of abuse before tragedy occurs. As sentencing proceedings continue, the story of Braxtyn Smith remains a painful reminder of the consequences when prolonged abuse goes undetected.