Karen Foster in court charged with murdering Harlow Collinge

It follows a lengthy police investigation after the nine-month-old's death in Hapton more than a year ago.

Foster, 61, was also charged with assaulting a three year-old child on March 22 causing her actual bodily harm.

Neither child is related to the other, and Foster is not related to either of her alleged victims.

Harlow Collinge (Image: Collinge family via GoFundMe)

Police were called at around 1.20am on March 1, 2022, to an address in Hapton following reports a baby boy had suffered a medical episode.

Emergency services attended and the child, Harlow Collinge, aged nine-and-a-half months, was taken to hospital for treatment, but he died on March 5.

His family continue to be supported by specially trained officers.

Foster, of Walden Grove, Burnley, and a 78-year-old man from Burnley were arrested of suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and were subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder after further enquiries.

The 78-year-old man has now been released without charge but after consultation between the police and the Crown Prosecution Service, Foster was charged on July 4 with Harlow's murder.

Harlow Collinge (Image: Collinge family via GoFundMe)

Appearing at Preston Crown Court on Friday afternoon, Foster, wearing a white shirt and glasses, spoke only to confirm her name.

The parents of Harlow Collinge and other members of their family sat in the public gallery.

A plea and trial preparation hearing has been set for September 4, where Foster it is anticipated she will enter a not guilty plea to both charges - the murder of Harlow, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm of a three-year-old child.

A provisional trial date has been set for January 15, 2024.

A number of expert witnesses are expected to be called to give evidence at the trial. 

Foster was remanded into custody.