Pastor charged in connection with drowning death during backyard baptism ceremony

A British pastor has been formally charged in connection with the drowning death of a 61-year-old man during a baptism ceremony held at a private home in Birmingham nearly three years ago. According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), 48-year-old Cheryl Bartley, the founder of Life Changing Ministries, is accused of one count of gross negligence manslaughter.
The incident involved Robert Smith, a grandfather of seven children and originally from Jamaica, who had lived in the United Kingdom for many years and worked as a barber in London. The Associated Press reported that the baptism event was livestreamed on social media and organized by Bartley’s ministry.
The CPS stated that there was “sufficient evidence” to proceed with criminal charges against Bartley and that it is in the public interest to pursue this case. The details surrounding the event and its immediate aftermath are being examined through the lens of criminal proceedings.
The charges stem from the circumstances of Mr. Smith’s death during the ceremony held in a backyard inflatable pool. The investigation continues as Bartley is due to appear in Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on May 14th.

Source: Read the original report