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, left Harlow Collinge with unsurvivable brain injuries after he had been dropped off at her home by his mother Gemma Collinge, the court heard.
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.
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”.
After Harlow was rushed away by ambulance, Foster hugged his mother at the hospital and claimed the youngster had begun choking and that she had slapped him on the back.
But she later tried to blame Ms Collinge for the injuries.
Harlow died days later in his parents’ arms having suffered massive brain injuries.
