Pastor Charged with Gross Negligence Manslaughter After Man Drowned During a Baptism
By Madison E. Goldberg
Published on April 9, 2026.
Cheryl Bartley, a pastor from Life Changing Ministries, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter in relation to the drowning death of Robert Smith, a London resident who drowned during a baptism in 2023. Smith, who was pronounced dead at the scene of the baptism, was identified as Smith by the U.K. Crown Prosecution Service. After Smith's death, Bartley allegedly posted a video on social media claiming to have seen him "dancing with Jesus". The case against Bartley is under investigation and police are urging caution against online reporting, commentary, or sharing information online that could potentially prejudice these proceedings.
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