Karen Foster pleads not guilty to murdering Harlow Collinge

Foster appeared via video link at Preston Crown Court for a plea hearing today (September 4) after being charged with the murder of the nine-month-old tot earlier this year.

The charges came following a lengthy police investigation after the nine-month-old's death in Hapton more than a year ago.

Foster, 61, was also arraigned on a separate charge of assaulting a three year-old child on March 22, 2019, causing her actual bodily harm.

She entered a not guilty plea to this as well.

Harlow Collinge (Image: Go Fund Me - Collinge family)

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

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 following 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.

Foster appeared in court via video link from HMP Styal in Cheshire this morning wearing a white shirt and glasses, and spoke only to confirm her name and enter her pleas. 

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

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.