A three-year-old girl survived for up to four days on scraps of bread and butter after her mother killed herself, an inquest heard today.

Police reportedly found the little girl wandering around a deserted house in Port Talbot, Wales, after her 28-year-old mum Aimee Louise Evans hanged herself upstairs in April.

PC Clive Morris, of South Wales Police, told the inquest at Swansea Civic Centre that Evans' daughter had been in the house for three to four days and was looking unkempt, adding that police believed she had survived on scraps.

"I became increasingly aware of the three-year-old's wellbeing - the child had been there for three to four days and she was unkempt. She was taken to hospital to be checked by a paediatrician," he said. The 28-year-old's other child was staying with his father in Bridgend at the time.

The mother-of-two had last been seen alive on April 3 when she went to her mum's house. She had reportedly been drinking, but was not drunk and had been checking the Facebook profile of a man she was seeing on and off.

PC Morris told the inquest that the mum-of-two sent a text to her mother, Julie Evans, a day later on April 4, asking her to collect her daughter because she was "ending it". Julie Evans replied by saying "do not be daft" and asking her daughter what the matter was.

This was the last time her and her mother had spoken, with Julie Evans repeatedly attempting to make contact with her daughter over the following days. This included visiting the property, but getting no reply.

The inquest heard that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Evans' death and that she had no history of mental health problems. The 28-year-old allegedly used to drink most evenings and had been subject to domestic violence in previous relationships. Coroner Colin Phillips recorded a conclusion of suicide.

Naming the case "one of the hardest" he has had to deal with, PC Morris said: "Her mum said Aimee was a happy, outgoing individual that showed no signs of depression. She said her children were always well cared for - that they were always clean, tidy, and well looked after. 'This is one of the hardest cases I have dealt with."

According to a Facebook page dedicated to the young mother's memory, a memorial took place for Evans in late April where mourners set off lanterns and balloons at Aberavon beach in Port Talbot and raised a glass in Evans' memory.

After the inquest, Evan's friend Stacey Ansell said: "Aimee is truly missed by many people. If she knew how many people are heartbroken over her passing she would be overwhelmed. It deeply saddens me that she felt she couldn’t reach out to any of us."

If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicidal feelings, depression, or just loneliness and uncertainty, then please don't hesitate to contact either the Samaritans (116 123) or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255).

A three-year-old girl survived for up to four days on scraps of bread and butter after her mother killed herself, an inquest heard today.

Police reportedly found the little girl wandering around a deserted house in Port Talbot, Wales, after her 28-year-old mum Aimee Louise Evans hanged herself upstairs in April.

PC Clive Morris, of South Wales Police, told the inquest at Swansea Civic Centre that Evans' daughter had been in the house for three to four days and was looking unkempt, adding that police believed she had survived on scraps.

"I became increasingly aware of the three-year-old's wellbeing - the child had been there for three to four days and she was unkempt. She was taken to hospital to be checked by a paediatrician," he said. The 28-year-old's other child was staying with his father in Bridgend at the time.

The mother-of-two had last been seen alive on April 3 when she went to her mum's house. She had reportedly been drinking, but was not drunk and had been checking the Facebook profile of a man she was seeing on and off.

PC Morris told the inquest that the mum-of-two sent a text to her mother, Julie Evans, a day later on April 4, asking her to collect her daughter because she was "ending it". Julie Evans replied by saying "do not be daft" and asking her daughter what the matter was.

This was the last time her and her mother had spoken, with Julie Evans repeatedly attempting to make contact with her daughter over the following days. This included visiting the property, but getting no reply.

The inquest heard that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Evans' death and that she had no history of mental health problems. The 28-year-old allegedly used to drink most evenings and had been subject to domestic violence in previous relationships. Coroner Colin Phillips recorded a conclusion of suicide.

Naming the case "one of the hardest" he has had to deal with, PC Morris said: "Her mum said Aimee was a happy, outgoing individual that showed no signs of depression. She said her children were always well cared for - that they were always clean, tidy, and well looked after. 'This is one of the hardest cases I have dealt with."

According to a Facebook page dedicated to the young mother's memory, a memorial took place for Evans in late April where mourners set off lanterns and balloons at Aberavon beach in Port Talbot and raised a glass in Evans' memory.

After the inquest, Evan's friend Stacey Ansell said: "Aimee is truly missed by many people. If she knew how many people are heartbroken over her passing she would be overwhelmed. It deeply saddens me that she felt she couldn’t reach out to any of us."

If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicidal feelings, depression, or just loneliness and uncertainty, then please don't hesitate to contact either the Samaritans (116 123) or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255).