A pastor in England is facing serious charges after a man drowned during a baptism ceremony in Birmingham.
According to the BBC, 61-year-old Robert Smith died after being submerged during a baptism on October 8, 2023. Authorities have since charged Cheryl Bartley, 48, with gross negligence manslaughter in connection with her role in the ceremony.
Baptism Took Place in Small Pool and Was Livestreamed
The incident occurred during a baptism organized by Life Changing Ministries, where Smith was taking part in the religious ritual inside a small pool. Reports indicate the event was being livestreamed on Facebook at the time. However, the stream was paused during the ceremony and later removed following the incident.
A Facebook post shared by the church revealed that Robert Smith had been a member for four years and had traveled to Birmingham specifically to be baptized.
Pastor to Appear in Court
Cheryl Bartley is scheduled to appear in Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on May 14 to face the manslaughter charge. Prosecutors allege that the case involves gross negligence, meaning authorities believe there may have been a serious failure to ensure Smith’s safety during the baptism.
The outcome of the case will depend on the court’s assessment of whether proper care and precautions were taken during the ceremony.
