The Smith family was a middle class family living in Mableton, GA. They were members of the Remnant Fellowship Church. They practiced some methods of discipline that are considered quite controversial and because of this 8-year-old Josef Smith paid the ultimate price.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_v._Smith

http://www.childrenshealthcare.org/PDF%20Files/2007-01finallayout.pdf

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna17191330

https://www.thesmithsareinnocent.com/category/the-smith-family/the-story/

https://www.newschannel5.com/news/newschannel-5-investigates/dcs-cps-investigated-remnant-homes-following-boys-child-abuse-death-gwen-shamblin-testified

https://www.newschannel5.com/news/plane-crash-reported-on-percy-priest-lake-in-smyrna

https://meaww.com/was-gwen-shamblin-remnant-fellowship-church-responsible-josef-smith-death-raided-2003-boy-8-abused

https://www.ajc.com/neighborhoods/cobb/hbos-the-way-down-documentary-highlights-cobb-murder-case/SMACG5JRD5DCHE7SXMRHSRPSFE/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/couple-gets-life-in-sons-beating-death/

https://theskinnyonweighdownandremnant.com/PDFs/Autopsy%20report%20for%20Josef%20Smith.pdf