Childminder jailed for 12 years for killing baby boy

Harlow Collinge
Harlow Collinge was taken to hospital, but died four days later [Family handout]

A childminder who admitted shaking and killing a nine-month-old baby boy she was supposed to be looking after has been jailed for 12 years and seven months for manslaughter.

Karen Foster, 63, claimed Harlow Collinge had fallen over and banged his head and that she shook him "out of frustration".

Harlow was taken to hospital from the address in Hapton, near Burnley, Lancashire, on 1 March, 2022, but died four days later.

Foster was due to stand trial at Preston Crown Court for his murder last week but the prosecution accepted a plea of manslaughter.

Karen Foster
Karen Foster claimed Harlow Collinge had fallen over and banged his head [Lancashire Police]

The basis of her plea was that her "forceful shaking" caused Harlow's death after he fell out of his high chair and began crying, the court heard.

Foster, a registered childminder with nine years experience, called 999 to say he was not breathing, and told a paramedic he had "suddenly collapsed".

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