A church baptism has taken a tragic turn in England, leaving a pastor facing a serious criminal charge after a man died during the ceremony.
Cheryl Bartley, a Christian minister, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter following the death of Robert Smith.
Smith, 61, who was reportedly living with Parkinson’s disease, died on October 8, 2023, after drowning during a baptism ceremony held at a private property on Slade Road in Erdington.
Prosecutors say the ceremony involved the use of a paddling pool where the incident occurred.
Bartley, 48, who is linked to Life Changing Ministries, is accused of causing Smith’s death through gross negligence while carrying out the baptism.
The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that she has been formally charged and is expected to appear before Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on May 14.
According to Malcolm McHaffie, prosecutors concluded there was enough evidence to proceed with the case after a joint investigation with West Midlands Police.
Emergency responders were called to the address shortly after 1:30 p.m. on the day of the incident. Despite attempts by paramedics to revive him using advanced life-support measures, Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.
