THE parents of a baby who tragically died have paid tribute to their ‘lovely’ daughter.

Andy Ferguson and Jo Hendy, from Weymouth, spoke of their 20-month-old daughter Annabelle Hendy-Ferguson as a ‘clever girl’ and the love of their life.

They spoke after an inquest into tragic Annabelle’s death on November 14 last year when she was found dead in her cot at her foster home in Weymouth.

Annabelle had been living in foster care since she was three months old.

The blue-eyed tot was a week away from being adopted and going to live with her new mum and dad.

West Dorset coroner Michael Johnston reached an open verdict into baby Annabelle’s death at an inquest.

He said she died of natural causes but that there was no definite means of determining how she died.

Mr Johnston told both sets of Annabelle’s parents: “There’s nothing suspicious about her death. Annabelle died from natural causes. I’m terribly sorry for each and every one of you.

“Losing a child is dreadful for all four of you and for Annabelle’s adoptive parents.

“You have my most sincere sympathy.”

Pathologist Dr Liina Kiho told the inquest that Annabelle died either from breathing problems caused by her stomach contents escaping into her lungs or from a seizure.

Annabelle was removed from their care when she was three months old after the family was assessed at a social services unit in Reading.

Jo, 30, was born with learning difficulties and Andy, 36, was diagnosed with an anti-social personality order in 2000.

Andy said: “They took Annabelle away but they can’t take our memories away.

“Annabelle was the love of my life.

“Walking around with Annabelle was the first time in my life that I actually felt proud.

“She was a clever little girl – one time she imitated Jo’s laugh.”

Andy said that Annabelle loved squeaky toys and her play ring.

He said: “She loved it in the bath and loved splashing in there – shortly before she died she soaked me from head to toe when I was bathing her.”

The couple say they will never get over Annabelle’s death.

Jo said: “I felt so close to her. I wanted to take her swimming one day. Now I just go off into my own space and can’t stop thinking about her.”

Andy said he has struggled to grieve properly for his daughter.

He said: “All I can remember is Annabelle reaching out for me. I feel like I’ve let her down.

“I thought about her being married with her own children. I was worried about her being adopted and not wanting to get in touch with her mum and dad.

“I wanted to be able to sort things out and have her come back to live with us. We would have done anything to get her back.

“I carried on doing up her room, painting it pink and making it nice for her.

“We did the responsible thing, asking for help, thinking we would be able to care for her one day.

“She’s not here any more and I keep on thinking about what I could have done differently.”