Joshua Smith pleaded guilty to murder in the death of his 10-year-old son Braxtyn Smith. The boy's mother and grandmother also entered guilty pleas in the case.
Joshua Smith, 35, pleaded guilty on Thursday to murder. His mother-in-law, 63-year-old Mistie Latourette, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Friday. Braxtyn's mother, 37-year-old Jem Bean, had pleaded guilty to manslaughter earlier this year.
Braxtyn died on Feb. 18, 2024, after being taken to a hospital in Bangor. He weighed 48 pounds and had multiple bruises. A medical examiner ruled the death a homicide.
Court documents show the boy suffered abuse for two years. He was forced to eat dog food and food was withheld as punishment. Text messages described the father tying down the boy and beating him.
Smith is scheduled to be sentenced in September. Bean's sentencing date has not been set. Prosecutors recommend 25 years in prison for Bean.