A Lancashire childminder has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a baby boy in her care. Karen Foster, 62, was due to stand trial at Preston crown court for the murder of nine-month-old Harlow Collinge in March 2022. But before a jury being sworn in on Friday, she pleaded guilty to his manslaughter. The Crown Prosecution Service accepted the plea after discussions with Harlow’s family. The court heard that “forceful shaking” of the baby had led to his death. The court was told that Foster shook Harlow in frustration after he had toppled over out of his high chair and begun crying. He was described as a “healthy and happy boy” before he suffered traumatic injuries while under Foster’s care. He had been dropped off at her address in Hapton, near Burnley in Lancashire, on 1 March 2022. Later that day Foster phoned 999 and told the operator that Harlow was not breathing, the court was told. She later told a paramedic he had suddenly collapsed. Harlow was taken to hospital but died four days later. In legal argument earlier this week the court heard a CT scan of Harlow’s head had showed significant injuries to his brain, with bleeding on both sides and swelling. Addressing Foster, who appeared in the dock with crutches, wearing a white shirt and black jacket, the judge, Mr Justice Cotter, said: “I am sure you have been advised that the likely sentence is one of a substantial period in custody and you should be well aware of that.” Foster, a registered childminder with nine years’ experience, was further remanded in custody. She will be sentenced at the same court next Thursday morning. Foster also faced a further allegation of assaulting a two-year-old girl in her care in 2019. The prosecutor, Anne Whyte KC, told the judge the crown would ask for that count to lie on file.