A six-week-old baby died in Moldova last week after he was dunked underwater in a baptism.

The boy's relatives told the United Kingdom Press Association he was drowned during the ceremony July 22 near Moldova, located in the northeast corner of Romania. The parents told Romania's Publika TV that the priest didn't cover the boy's nose and mouth. He was put under water three times.

The boy was rushed to hospital, but died on the way there, his parents told the television station. The family had videotaped the baptism, which was reviewed by law officials.

The video has been posted on the television station's website. It shows the priest submerging the baby into a large silver tub. The baby is blurred in the video but it does show the baby kicking as the priest takes him back to his family. It also shows the family gathered around the infant, but because it is blurred, you can't see what the family members are doing.

Police questioned the priest. He maintains his innocence and says he followed church protocol, prosecution lawyers told the station.

The priest is facing a manslaughter charge and if convicted, could serve three years in prison.