05 July 2023 , 12:32
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A childminder accused of murdering a nine-and-a-half-month-old baby boy has appeared in court for the first time.
Karen Foster, 61, is also charged with assaulting another child, aged one, causing her actual bodily harm.
A lengthy police investigation followed baby Harlow Collinge's death on March 5 last year.
The other alleged assault took place on March 22, 2019.
Lancashire Police said officers were called at around 1.20pm on March 1 to an address in Hapton following reports a baby boy had suffered a medical episode.
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
He was taken to hospital for treatment, but he died four days later.
His family continue to be supported by specially trained officers, the force added.
Foster, of Walden Grove, Burnley, is not related to either of the two victims and the two children are not related to each other.
She went before Blackburn Magistrates Court today after being charged on Tuesday.
She spoke only to confirm her name and address, reports the Lancashire Telegraph.
Foster was sent in custody to Preston Crown Court where she is next due to appear on Friday, July 7.
Police previously confirmed a 60-year-old woman was arrested in March, as was a 78-year-old man, from Burnley, on suspicion of Section 18 Assault and were subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder after further enquiries.
The man has now been released without charge.