Man who drowned during paddling pool baptism had Parkinson’s and was under water for four minutes, court hears

A man who drowned during a baptism had Parkinson’s disease and was underwater for four minutes, a court heard.

Robert Smith died in October 2023 during a Christian ceremony held in the backyard of a private address in Birmingham.

Pastor Cheryl Bartley, 48, was charged with manslaughter by gross negligence and appeared at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

The case had to be moved to a larger courtroom 40 followers and family members. Bartley, wearing a sky blue suit, did not enter a plea.

Prosecutor Satinder Ruck said the matter should be referred to the Crown Court for future hearings.

Sean Sullivan, representing Bartley, said she was a woman of good character who had lived in the UK for 30 years.

He told the court: ‘The defense objected to every part of the alleged offence, namely that the defendant had a duty of care to the deceased.

‘If there is such a duty, it is objected that he failed to fulfill this duty by negligence or omission, and if there is a negligent act or omission, it is objected that it caused death or amounted to gross negligence.’

Bartley, wearing a sky blue suit, did not enter a plea.

The case had to be moved to a larger courtroom to accommodate 40 followers and family members, including one holding a “not guilty” sign.

During a discussion about appropriate bail conditions, Ms Ruck said: ‘The crime is a serious offence. Mr. Smith was 61 years old and had Parkinson’s disease.

‘His physical disabilities, tremors and rigidity were clearly visible.’

He said he went into the water and remained underwater for four minutes.

District Judge David Wain said he would impose conditions on him not to perform any baptisms and not to leave the UK.

He told Bartley: ‘These are very serious allegations. They can only be heard in the Crown Court.’

He will next appear at Birmingham Crown Court on June 11.

Mr Smith attended the ceremony, which was held by Life Changing Ministries in a small pool in the grounds of the property.

The christening event was broadcast live on the church’s Facebook page, but the broadcast was interrupted during the event and the video was later removed.

Mr Smith had reportedly traveled to Birmingham to be baptized, having been a member of the church for four years.

Originally from Jamaica, Mr Smith had seven grandchildren and had been in the UK for at least 25 years, settling in Brixton, south London, where he worked as a barber.

He had already been baptized as a teenager, but he wanted a second ceremony to become a ‘born again believer’.