According to reports, 61-year-old Robert Smith, a resident of Brixton in south London, died by drowning while being baptised at a private address in Erdington, Birmingham. The ceremony was conducted by 48-year-old Cheryl Bartley.

In a statement, the Crown Prosecution Service said it had authorised charges against Bartley in connection with the incident.

“We have decided to prosecute Cheryl Bartley, 48, with one count of gross negligence manslaughter in relation to her role as a pastor during a baptism,” said Malcolm McHaffie, Head of the Special Crime Division at the CPS.

“This follows the death of 61-year-old Robert Smith from Brixton, south London, who died from drowning at an address in Slade Road, Erdington on October 8, 2023,” he added.

McHaffie noted that prosecutors had determined there was sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it was in the public interest to proceed with criminal charges. He also confirmed that the CPS worked closely with West Midlands Police during the investigation.

Bartley is scheduled to appear before Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on May 14.