An inquest could not reach a conclusion about the cause of a three-month-old girl’s death from head injuries.

Ria Hammond, of St Albans Road, Watford, was born 30 weeks premature on March 5, 2015, and suffered from severe congenital rickets, which affects bone formation.

She died of an apparent fractured skull on Sunday, June 28, 2015.

Hatfield Coroner's Court heard on Tuesday that on the evening before she died, Ria’s mother Glynis Hammond left to go to work at Oceana at around 9pm.

Her father Timothy Mutsekwa stayed at home with Ria and her four-year-old sister.

After drinking four cans of beer, Mr Mutsekwa fed Ria and put both girls to bed.

The family all lived in the same room and shared communal areas including the kitchen and bathroom.

Ria was sleeping in a Moses basket on the floor of the room and Mr Mutsekwa was on the floor with Ria's sister in the bed.

Mr Mutsekwa woke up at around 4am when he heard loud screaming and crying.

He said: “I saw Ria lying on the floor and her sister was stood over her.

“I ran over to see my daughter and lifted Ria up. I asked what had happened and her sister said she was crying.

“I started checking Ria but nothing was abnormal. I made her some milk and she began to calm down.”

Mrs Hammond returned home at around 6am and asked if everything was ok.

Both parents went to sleep and set their alarm for 9am so they could get ready for church.

When Mrs Hammond went to raise Ria at 11am, she found she was cold and unresponsive. According to Mr Mutsekwa she became hysterical and called the ambulance.

When the ambulance came at around 11.30am, Ria was taken to Watford General Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Consultant paediatric pathologist Dr Nathaniel Cary, who took the initial examination at Great Ormond Street Hospital, said: “It is a very complex case. The cause of death is not all that straightforward.

“Ria had severe congenital rickets as well as a fracture on the skull.”

Both parents have had problems with immigration control in this country and in their initial interviews with the police they gave false statements, claiming Mr Mutsekwa was in Norwich at the time of Ria’s death.

In August 2015, both parents were questioned again and Mrs Hammond said she was at work and Mr Mutsekwa was looking after the children.

Detective Constable John Schofield, of Bedford Police, said there is no longer a police investigation taking place.

Coroner Geoffrey Sullivan recorded an open conclusion on the grounds that the case was very complex.

He said: “This has been a very difficult inquest and I would like to offer my sympathies in response to Ria’s death.”