Nationwide — Cheryl Bartley, a 48-year-old pastor from the UK, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter following the demise of Robert Smith, a 61-year-old grandfather, throughout a house baptism in Birmingham. Police additionally allege she later recorded a video claiming she noticed him “dancing with Jesus” after his demise.
In accordance with the New York Put up, Bartley live-streamed the baptism in October 2023 throughout a service hosted by her Life Altering Ministries Fb web page. Smith took half within the ceremony inside a Birmingham residence, the place he was baptized in a young children’s paddling pool.
Smith, a grandfather of seven, lived with Parkinson’s illness and had a long-standing Christian religion. Studies say he had already been baptized beforehand however selected to endure the ceremony once more as a part of his renewed dedication.
The livestream reduce out whereas Smith was within the water. Emergency companies have been referred to as to the house, however he was pronounced useless on the scene. A autopsy later confirmed drowning as the reason for demise, in line with West Midlands Police.
Following his demise, Bartley recorded one other video addressing the incident. In that recording, she mentioned she believed she noticed Smith in heaven, describing him as “dancing with Jesus,” in line with studies.
Police later charged Bartley with gross negligence manslaughter, an offense that may carry a jail sentence within the UK. She is scheduled to seem at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court docket on Could 14.
Smith initially got here from Jamaica and had lived within the UK for about 25 years. He labored as a barber in Brixton, London, and was well0known in his group.
