Pastor charged after man drowned during baptism

Pastor charged after man drowned during baptism

A 48-year-old pastor has been accused of causing a fatal accident through negligence after a man died during a baptism ceremony in Birmingham. The incident occurred on 8 October 2023, when Robert Smith, 61, from Brixton, London, drowned in a garden pool on Slade Road, Erdington.

Cheryl Bartley, who is associated with Life Changing Ministries, faces one count of gross negligence manslaughter for her role in the event. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed the charge, stating that the ceremony was conducted in the property’s garden. Smith had reportedly traveled to Birmingham for the ritual, as noted in a Facebook post following his death.

The baptism was streamed live on the church’s Facebook page, but the broadcast was cut off during the event. The video was subsequently removed. Bartley, based in Erdington, is scheduled to appear at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 14 May.

“We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that she has the right to a fair trial,” said Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS’s special crime division. “It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

The CPS highlighted its collaboration with West Midlands Police during the investigation. The incident has sparked discussions about safety measures at religious gatherings. Smith had been a member of the church for four years before his passing.

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