The former step-dad of Summer Mai Rogers-Ratcliffe denied having anything to do with the toddler’s death.
Craig Sharp told police he had neither harmed the 21-month-old, nor witnessed anything untoward around the time the tot sustained a fatal head injury, an inquest heard.
Mr Sharp’s police interview was read out at the continuing hearing into the Dewsbury child’s death at Bradford Coroner’s Court, on Thursday.
Summer died on February 28, 2012 from a blow to the head which caused internal bleeding and blindness.
Medical experts agreed that the blow had been struck 12 to 48 hours before Summer’s death.
Mr Sharp, Summer’s mother Victoria Rogers and her mother Susan Rogers were all arrested on suspicion of the child’s murder, but the case was dropped due to insufficient evidence.
The former stepfather said he had been asleep throughout the night before Summer was found unresponsive in her cot.
Mr Sharp said he had taken a couple of brief looks at the child before handing care over to Susan Rogers and leaving for work.
In an interview with detectives Mr Sharp was asked: “How did Summer receive this head injury?”
Mr Sharp replied: “I have no idea.”
Detective: “Are you in any way responsible for the injury to Summer?”
Mr Sharp: “No.”
Detective: “I’m suggesting you’re responsible for Summer’s death.”
Mr Sharp: “Well, you’re wrong.”
Detective: “Who is responsible then?”
Mr Sharp: “Victoria or Victoria’s mum.”
Asked if he had accidentally injured Summer, dropped her or seen the child bang her head, Mr Sharp replied: “no”.
Mr Sharp also told detectives he had not seen Victoria Rogers accidently drop Summer or unintentionally bump the child’s head.
In an interview under caution Victoria Rogers claimed Summer had been attacked after she left for work.
The inquest also heard an interview between police and Susan Rogers.
Mrs Rogers told police she had called 999 after finding Summer unresponsive in her cot.
The grandmother told the court she suspected something was wrong when Summer failed to greet her at the door as usual.
Mrs Rogers said: “All I can say is I didn’t touch Summer until I got her out of the cot.”
Coroner Oliver Longstaff is expected to conclude the case on Friday.
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