Charges filed against pastor after fatal home baptism incident

A pastor has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter following the death of a man during a baptism conducted in a paddling pool.

Robert Smith, 61, from Brixton, London, died during a ceremony held in the back garden of a property in Erdington, Birmingham, on October 8, 2023. Cheryl Bartley, 48, pastor of Life Changing Ministries, has been charged with one count of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with her role in the baptism, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Emergency services were called to the address shortly after 1:30pm, but Mr Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. He was reported to be originally from Jamaica, a grandfather of seven, and worked as a barber.

Mr Smith is understood to have had Parkinson’s disease and had previously been baptised, but chose to undergo a second ceremony to become a “born-again believer”. Following his death, the pastor is said to have recorded a video claiming she saw him in heaven “dancing with Jesus”.

The baptism was live-streamed on the church’s Facebook page, but the broadcast was cut short during the event and later removed. Life Changing Ministries describes itself as an Apostolic church led by Bartley as its founder and overseer. Apostolic churches are part of the Pentecostal tradition, emphasising the Holy Spirit, evangelism, healing, and apostolic leadership.

The organisation appears to have a limited physical presence, with much of its activity taking place online. It is unclear whether it operates from a permanent base. Bartley also hosts a weekly YouTube programme focused on “healing and deliverance”, inviting viewers to join live sessions. The broadcasts are promoted to audiences in both the UK and Jamaica.

She is due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on May 14.

Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said prosecutors had worked closely with West Midlands Police during the investigation. He added: “Criminal proceedings against this defendant are active, and she has the right to a fair trial. It is important that no reporting or online commentary prejudices these proceedings.”

This article is for general information and interest purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice, nor does it necessarily represent the views of HCB.