BABY KILLER
Childminder who shook baby boy to death ‘in frustration’ when he fell from chair and cried is jailed for 12 years
Babysitter called 999 claiming little Harlow had collapsed and stopped breathing
A CHILDMINDER who shook a baby boy to death after she "snapped" when he fell from a chair and cried has been jailed.
Harlow Collinge was rushed to hospital in March 2022 after going into cardiac arrest at a home in Hapton, Lancashire.
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Karen Foster, 62, has now been jailed for 12 years and seven months after pleading guilty to manslaughter.
As she was led away, members of Harlow’s family shouted “scumbag b****” and “horrible woman”.
In a victim impact statement, Halow's mum Gemma told how "despicable" Foster put her arms around her in the hospital knowing what she had done.
She also slammed the childminder for lying about how he was injured and taking the family's "little bubble" away.
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Gemma added: "How do I explain what it is like losing my son in the most horrific circumstances, his whole life taken away by a horrible individual who I trusted.
"Holding my boy in my arms for hours while he struggled to breathe is something I have to live with.
"I miss my boy more than life itself. I struggle to cope. I constantly feel like its a bad dream or a living nightmare. My head is not able to process reality.
"This monster deserves nothing. She has committed the worst crime in the world.
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"There is no forgiveness. I hate that I took my baby to her. She knew how much parents trusted her and allowed her the privilege of looking after precious little children."
While Harlow's dad Allen Frangleton said: "Karen Foster's actions have destroyed me and us as a family. Our lives will never be the same again.
"I will never forget the five days he was in hospital dying in our arms. I hate this woman so much.
"The pain this evil woman put us through for two years is disgusting. All the lies and accusations, second guessing our son's death.
"What happened to Harlow has had a devastating and lasting effect. My beautiful son Harlow should not have died. We will continue to fight the systems that let him down."
Preston Crown Court was told Foster was a registered child minder with nine years experience when she was put in charge of Harlow.
Ofsted had received a complaint over Foster previously having too many children in her care but she continued to up her workload.
Web of lies
Her ability to care for children was hindered by health issues - including sciatica and heart problems - but she carried on working after applying for benefits.
Harlow's mum Gemma Collinge had raised concerns of her own but Foster reassured her she could handle the baby.
Leading up to his killing, the mum had turned to friends more to care for Harlow and were waiting for him to start at a local nursery.
On the day he was attacked, Foster was caring for four children - two aged four and two younger kids, including baby Harlow.
He had been his usual happy self before being dropped off, the court heard.
But two hours later, Foster called 999 to claim he wasn't breathing and had suddenly collapsed like he had a "fit".
Paramedics found the baby purple on Foster's bed, with the childminder claiming he was eating when he became floppy, drowsy and unwell.
Harlow was rushed to hospital where Foster changed her story - telling medics he was eating pasta in his high chair when he started choking.
Tragically, the baby couldn't be saved and was declared dead four days later.
A post mortem revealed Harlow's cause of death was an inflicted traumatic brain injury.
The court heard a CT scan of his showed significant injuries to the brain, with bleeding on both sides and swelling.
He also had "suspicious" bruising to his ear and a number of fractures to his ribs.
Foster was charged when police launched an investigation into the tragedy.
She claimed the baby had fallen out of his chair and banged his head - causing him to burst into tears.
The childminder then grew "frustrated" at his crying and violently shook him.
Harlow's mum pays tribute in powerful victim impact statement
How do I explain what it is like losing my son in the most horrific circumstances, his whole life taken away by a horrible individual who I trusted.
Harlow was enjoying his little life. He had everything he needed, his love of us all was clear to see. He loved to sing with his sisters and laughing. I was enjoyong being a new mum again.
He made us all love life being with him. Our little bubble was all taken away in a split second.
The moment I got a call saying Harlow had choked changed everything. I knew something was not right with this woman. My instincts were right, I took steps to change where he attended but he never got that chance.
No matter how much my feelings told me this wasn't right, I never thought this would happen. I questioned myself if I was being over protected but reassured myself she was registered by Ofsted. Other parents took their children there, so it was me.
The things I noticed were little, for example Harlow's vest wasn't fastened which I thought was lazy.
I can still picture the room in Blackburn where we all sat, and the nerve of Karen Foster who could see the pain on our faces and continued to lie. She even put her arms around me, knowing what she had done.
I can't think of anything more despicable.
Holding my boy in my arms for hours while he struggled to breathe is something I have to live with. I miss my boy more than life itself. I struggle to cope. I constantly feel like its a bad dream or a living nightmare. My head is not able to process reality.
Her actions in the last two years make me sick. I struggle to understand how someone could behave in that manner and not tell the truth. I would still not have my son, but I would have the truth.
When Harlow died part of me died. I trust no-one. Some days I just cry. I try to forget the pain but its a vicious never-ending circle. Every day I am emotional and wonder if I can make it better but I can't.
This monster deserves nothing. She has committed the worst crime in the world. She had every opportunity over the last two years but it is too late.
There is no forgiveness. I hate that I took my baby to her. She knew how much parents trusted her and allowed her the privilege of looking after precious little children.
Foster was also accused of attacking a two-year-old girl in a separate incident in March 2019.
But the prosecution asked for a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm to lie on file.
A page set up after Harlow’s death received more than £10,000 to help his family.
In a tribute on the fundraiser, a family friend described Harlow as a “funny, playful baby who loved Peter Rabbit, milkshakes and pink wafer biscuits”.
She added: “He loved it when his sister sang Adele songs to him, he loved his doggies and running around in his baby walker.
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"He loved his family, his Mummy and Daddy, brother and sisters, and his grandparents so much.
“He has left a Harlow shaped hole no one can fill.”
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