The parents of a man whose two-month-old daughter died of trauma-related injuries attempted to comfort the mother by saying she could have a boy next time, an experienced social worker has told a coronial inquest.
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Heather Malerbi supported Rongrong (Angel) Lu following the death of her baby Charlotte Lukendlay, and was present when Ms Lu took a call from the parents of the baby's father, Gaurav Endlay.
Ms Lu had the call on loud speaker, the inquest was told.
Ms Malerbi alleges that Mr Endlay's parents - Bal Krishna Endlay and Asha Endlay, who live in India - told Ms Lu that "the past does not matter, be a good wife and all can be good again, and you can have a boy for our family".
Charlotte was found unresponsive on February 21, 2016, in a unit in Newnham where the family lived. The inquest was earlier told that Mr Endlay was allegedly alone with Charlotte for up to 40 minutes prior.
She had a hypoxic brain injury and fractures to her ribs and ankle, dying four days later in the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Mr and Mrs Endlay appeared by phone from India at the inquest on Wednesday, and denied the phone call with Ms Lu took place.
"The person is lying. I never said anything," Mr Endlay senior said.
The couple criticised Ms Lu's care of baby Charlotte and praised their son, even when questions did not appear to require such a response.
Their evidence concerned Coroner Olivia McTaggart who was required to ask the same questions repeatedly to gain a relevant answer.
"I'm not used to witnesses who understand the question not responding to them after being asked the same question several times," she told them.
The inquest also heard from Ms Lu's sister-in-law Fanny Chan, who appeared by phone from Hong Kong. She stayed while Ms Lu was pregnant, and was critical of Mr Endlay's handling of Charlotte.
Mr Endlay denied he was rough when handling the baby.
"I love my daughter. I would never have given to handling her in such a manner," he said.