Story perspectives

Pastor Charged with Manslaughter After Drowning in Kiddie Pool

4/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

Cheryl Bartley, 48, a pastor from Life Changing Ministries in Birmingham, is charged with gross negligence manslaughter.
The drowning occurred on October 8, 2023, in a kiddie pool.
Robert Smith, 61, Jamaican immigrant and grandfather, had been a church member for four years.
Bartley faces May 14 hearing in Birmingham Magistrates' Court, and emergency services could not revive Robert Smith; the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) says there is sufficient evidence.

History

Historical Context

The 2015 Criminal Justice and Courts Act in the UK clarified gross negligence manslaughter laws, establishing accountability for severe negligence that results in death. This legislation builds on historical cases like R v Adomako (1995), which defined the standards for gross negligence. The ongoing case against Cheryl Bartley highlights the legal scrutiny of community leaders' responsibilities, particularly in vulnerable settings like churches, potentially shaping future negligence standards.

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Story summary

Cheryl Bartley, 48, a pastor from Life Changing Ministries in Birmingham, is charged with gross negligence manslaughter.
The drowning occurred on October 8, 2023, in a kiddie pool.
Robert Smith, 61, Jamaican immigrant and grandfather, had been a church member for four years.
Bartley faces May 14 hearing in Birmingham Magistrates' Court, and emergency services could not revive Robert Smith; the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) says there is sufficient evidence.

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