Catholic World News News Feature

Death Of Girl At Baptism Ruled Homicide September 26, 1996

WASHINGTON, DC (CWN) - A medical examiner on Wednesday ruled last week's death of a 4-year-old girl a homicide, which was the result of near-drowning during her baptism.

Sade Victoria Omotola died September 20 while on life support at Children's Hospital, where had been since blood began streaming from her nose and her face turned blue during her baptism at Imani Temple, a parish church that had broken away from the Catholic Church. Father August Griffin had immersed the baby's head three times into a baptismal font.

Bishop George Stallings said in a written statement Wednesday that the temple was "deeply shocked" by the coroner's report but stands by the church's practice of baptism by immersion.

The finding means the death will be considered by the US attorney's office and possibly a grand jury to determine whether criminal charges should be brought, according to a police spokesman.