Baptism death in Birmingham: Pastor faces gross negligence manslaughter

A Birmingham church pastor has appeared in court after being charged with manslaughter following the death of a man during his baptism.

Robert Smith, 61, who had Parkinson’s disease, died after being submerged in water and left there for about four minutes in October 2023, a court was told.

Life Changing Ministries pastor Cheryl Bartley, 48, has been charged with one count of gross negligence manslaughter in relation to her role as a pastor during Smith’s baptism, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Appearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court, Bartley allegedly “encouraged” Smith to enter the water before he died, the Irish Sun reported.

“Smith was suffering from Parkinson’s disease and he clearly had physical disabilities which we see in terms of his difficulties to walk, his tremors, his stiffness,” prosecutor Amreena Begum said.

“He remained submerged for some four minutes. He very sadly died. That’s the seriousness of the offence that this defendant is charged with.”

Emergency crews arrived at a private address in Birmingham shortly after 1.30pm on October 8, 2023, the Irish Sun reported.

Smith, a grandfather of seven, was given “advanced life support” but could not be saved and was declared dead at the scene.

The baptism was being streamed live on the church’s Facebook page before the stream was cut short and the video removed, Metro UK reported.

Smith had moved to Britain from Jamaica at least 25 years ago, settling in Brixton, where he worked as a barber, the outlet reported.

Pastor Cheryl Bartley is charged with one count of gross negligence manslaughter after Robert Smith's death.

His family said he had already been baptised as a teenager but wanted a second ceremony to become a born-again believer.

Bartley was granted bail on condition that she does not leave Britain or conduct any more baptisms.

The Crown Prosecution Service had previously said they decided to prosecute Bartley after reviewing the evidence, Malcolm McHaffie, head of the special crime division, said.

“Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.

“We have worked closely with West Midlands Police as it has carried out its investigation.”

“We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that she has the right to a fair trial.”

Bartley was ordered to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on June 11.