A Maine grandmother has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of her 10-year-old grandson, bringing the final pending case involving three family members closer to sentencing.
Mistie Latourette, 59, entered the plea Friday in Penobscot County Superior Court. She had previously faced a murder charge in the death of Braxtyn Smith, a Bangor boy who died in February 2024 after prosecutors said he suffered prolonged abuse while living with family members.
Latourette is the third adult to plead guilty in connection with the case. Braxtyn’s father, Joshua Smith, pleaded guilty to depraved indifference murder, while the boy’s mother, Jem Bean, previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
The case has drawn attention in Maine because of the severity of the allegations and the questions it raises about how abuse can go undetected when a child is largely outside traditional school and community systems. Prosecutors said Braxtyn was homeschooled and had endured abuse for an extended period before his death.
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According to court records and statements cited by local reports, authorities became involved after Braxtyn was brought to a hospital in February 2024. He was not breathing and did not have a pulse when he arrived, according to court documents cited by local media. Medical staff reported concerns about bruising, signs of malnourishment and other injuries.
The state medical examiner later ruled the death a homicide. Local reports said the cause of death was blunt force injuries in the setting of battered child syndrome.
Prosecutors alleged that Braxtyn had been restrained, deprived of food and subjected to repeated mistreatment. During prior court proceedings, prosecutors described evidence that the child had been tied with zip ties, including while sleeping, and that meals were withheld. They also said the boy had multiple injuries at the time of his death.
Latourette’s attorney has disputed that her actions caused Braxtyn’s death. He said she accepted responsibility through the manslaughter plea, while arguing that she did not knowingly participate in conduct that would lead to the child’s death. The defense has also argued that while Latourette bought zip ties on two occasions, she could not have reasonably known how they would later be used.
Under the plea agreement, the Maine Attorney General’s Office is expected to recommend a sentence of 25 years with 15 years suspended, according to local reporting. Latourette’s attorney has said he plans to argue for a shorter sentence, including credit for time already served.
The plea avoids a trial that had been scheduled to begin shortly. Prosecutors said the agreement brings the case closer to resolution without putting witnesses and family members through a lengthy trial process.
Still, the plea does not end the matter. Latourette, Bean and Smith are all awaiting sentencing. Latourette’s sentencing is expected later this month, while Smith’s sentencing is expected in September. Bean’s sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
The case has also renewed scrutiny of child protection systems and the warning signs that may be missed when children are isolated from regular school, medical or community contact. Prosecutors said the abuse was not detected earlier in part because Braxtyn was homeschooled.
That point is likely to remain part of the public discussion after sentencing. Child welfare advocates have long argued that teachers, school staff, doctors and other adults often serve as important outside observers who can identify warning signs of abuse. When a child has fewer regular contacts outside the home, those warning signs can be harder to detect.
At the same time, the legal process will focus on the individual responsibility of the adults involved. Smith, Bean and Latourette have now each entered guilty pleas to charges connected to Braxtyn’s death, but sentencing will determine how much prison time each person receives.
For the community, the case remains a deeply painful example of alleged long-term abuse ending in a child’s death. For the court, the next step is deciding sentences that reflect each defendant’s role, the evidence presented by prosecutors and the terms of the plea agreements.
Why It Matters
The case matters because it involves the death of a child after prosecutors said he suffered prolonged abuse inside his own home. It also raises broader questions about child welfare oversight, homeschooling, mandatory reporting and how authorities can identify abuse when children have limited contact with people outside their household.
The plea agreement may bring the case closer to resolution, but it is likely to leave difficult questions about accountability and prevention.
What Comes Next
Latourette is expected to be sentenced later this month. Her attorney plans to argue for a shorter sentence than the one recommended by prosecutors.
Braxtyn’s father, Joshua Smith, is expected to be sentenced in September after pleading guilty to murder. His mother, Jem Bean, has also pleaded guilty to manslaughter, though her sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
A Maine grandmother pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of 10-year-old Braxtyn Smith, with sentencing expected later this month.
Grandma admits torturing grandson, 10, to death as part of sweetheart plea deal that will drastically reduce her jail time https://t.co/JCE81RQSCD
— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) June 14, 2026
