Bangor Child Abuse Case Raises New Questions About DHHS Oversight as Father Pleads Guilty to Murder

The heartbreaking case of 10-year-old Braxtyn Smith of Bangor, who died in February 2024 after enduring severe and prolonged abuse, reached another major milestone this month as his father admitted responsibility for the child’s death.

On June 11, Joshua Smith pleaded guilty to murdering his son. During the court proceeding, prosecutors spent nearly 18 minutes detailing the graphic evidence and extensive abuse Braxtyn suffered before Smith entered his guilty plea.

The plea comes months after Braxtyn’s mother, Jem Bean, reached a separate agreement with prosecutors. In February, Bean pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter after originally being charged with depraved indifference murder. Her defense argued that the lesser charge more accurately reflected criminal negligence rather than intentional conduct. Prosecutors are recommending a 25-year prison sentence.

Meanwhile, the boy’s grandmother, Mistie Latourette, continues to face a charge of depraved indifference murder. Her trial was delayed until June 2026. Earlier court proceedings resulted in her bail being reduced from $300,000 to $100,000, although attorneys acknowledged she likely lacks the financial means to post bail and has remained incarcerated awaiting trial.

Medical examiners ruled Braxtyn’s death was caused by blunt force injuries in a setting of battered child syndrome. Court records describe at least 15 separate injuries, including brain hemorrhages and evidence that the child had been restrained with zip ties.

The details presented in court paint a grim picture of sustained abuse. Prosecutors noted that Braxtyn’s weight had dropped to just 48 pounds before his death.

Questions Surround DHHS

The case has also intensified scrutiny of Maine’s child welfare system and the role of the Department of Health and Human Services.

One factor repeatedly highlighted by prosecutors was that Braxtyn was being homeschooled. Because he was not attending public school, he had little interaction with teachers, counselors, school nurses, or other mandatory reporters who may have noticed signs of abuse, severe weight loss, or physical injuries.

Another troubling aspect of the case involves Braxtyn’s mother, Jem Bean, who was employed by DHHS in an administrative position at Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center in Bangor at the time of her son’s death.

The fact that a DHHS employee was involved in a case involving starvation, restraint, and abuse of a child has fueled public concern about oversight and accountability within the department.

Those concerns have only grown as questions remain unanswered about whether DHHS had any prior contact with the family and whether opportunities existed to intervene before the child’s death.

The Maine Wire has made multiple attempts over an extended period to obtain answers from state authorities regarding the case and broader child welfare concerns. Those efforts have included phone calls, emails, and in-person attempts to seek comment from officials connected to DHHS. To date, those inquiries have not received a response.

A Department Facing Growing Scrutiny

The Smith case comes as DHHS continues to face criticism from lawmakers, advocates, and former public officials over its size, management structure, and effectiveness.

The department oversees a vast range of programs, including child protective services, behavioral health, public assistance, developmental services, and MaineCare administration. Critics have increasingly questioned whether the agency has become too large and bureaucratic to effectively carry out its mission.

Former Governor Paul LePage has repeatedly argued that Maine’s next governor should undertake a major overhaul of the department, including significant leadership changes. LePage has said the agency requires a top-to-bottom review to restore accountability and improve outcomes for vulnerable Mainers.

For many observers, the central question remains whether warning signs were missed and whether systemic failures contributed to the circumstances that allowed Braxtyn’s abuse to continue unchecked.

As the final criminal proceedings move forward, the case continues to stand as a painful reminder of the consequences when vulnerable children fall through the cracks of the systems designed to protect them.

Jem Bean’s sentencing is expected following the resolution of the remaining criminal cases connected to Braxtyn’s death.

LePage Calls for DHHS Overhaul

The case comes as DHHS continues to face criticism over whether the department has become too large and bureaucratic to effectively oversee the vulnerable Mainers it is charged with protecting.

Former Gov. Paul LePage has called for a major shakeup at the department. During a May 2026 appearance on Maine’s Morning News on WVOM, LePage was asked what the next governor should do first to get Maine back on track.

“Go to DHHS and clean house,” LePage said.

LePage has argued that Maine’s welfare fraud problem is worse than he previously believed and has said the department requires stronger oversight, accountability, and leadership reform.

At the time of Braxtyn Smith’s death, his mother, Jem Bean, was employed in an administrative role at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center. State prosecutors highlighted that fact during court proceedings, noting the troubling circumstances surrounding a DHHS employee’s involvement in one of Maine’s most disturbing child abuse cases.

One question that still appears unanswered publicly is whether DHHS had any prior child welfare involvement with the family before Braxtyn’s death. DHHS has repeatedly cited confidentiality laws and has not publicly disclosed whether the agency had previous contact with the household.

According to court affidavits, Bean claimed Braxtyn had “tantrums” and admitted that she and Smith had previously used zip ties to restrain him.

Prosecutors said Bean would have testified that Braxtyn was forced to sleep in a bathroom with only a blanket, with his ankles zip-tied to a tote and his hands zip-tied behind his back.

Prosecutors also said Latourette helped conceal the abuse by making sure Braxtyn wore sunglasses in public to hide bruising on his face.

Latourette’s attorney said she “made choices that in retrospect she recognizes could have been handled differently,” while explaining her decision to accept responsibility for manslaughter.

Sentencing dates have not yet been publicly listed for all three defendants. Joshua Smith is expected to be sentenced in September, while sentencing for Jem Bean and Mistie Latourette remains pending following their manslaughter pleas.