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Murder of Harmony Montgomery

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Murder of Harmony Montgomery
LocationManchester, New Hampshire, U.S.
Datec. 2019
Attack type
Child murder
VictimHarmony Montgomery
PerpetratorAdam Montgomery
MotiveUnknown
VerdictGuilty
ConvictionsSecond-degree murder
ChargesSecond-degree murder

Harmony Renee Montgomery (June 7, 2014 – disappeared c. 2019; declared legally dead March 12, 2024) was an American child who was murdered by her biological father Adam Montgomery in Manchester, New Hampshire, presumably after a Massachusetts judge awarded her father custody.[1] Her biological mother, Crystal Sorey, reported her daughter missing after she lost custody of her in 2018. New Hampshire police launched an investigation into Montgomery's disappearance in December 2021.[2][3][4]

On January 22, 2022, the police determined that Montgomery was murdered, despite the absence of her body.[5] Montgomery's death sparked outrage and calls for reforms of child protective systems.[6] The trial for her murder began on February 8, 2024; her biological father Adam Montgomery and his wife Kayla were charged with second-degree murder.[7][8]

On February 22, 2024, Adam Montgomery was found guilty of murder.[9][10][11] He was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison on May 9, 2024.

Life in foster care

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Harmony Renee Montgomery was born on June 7, 2014, to Crystal Sorey and Adam Montgomery. Because of her parents' issues with substance abuse, Harmony was placed into foster care with Tim and Michelle Rafferty at two months old. Harmony was partially blind in her left eye and had special behavioral needs. Her half-brother Jamison was born in 2016. Harmony took on the role of the big sister who took care of her brother during foster care, according to her foster mother, who said Harmony was a social, intelligent, and happy child. In 2018, Sorey lost custody of Harmony and her brother. Jamison was later adopted by Blair Miller and Johnathan Bobbitt-Miller, who went on to state that Jamison missed his sister and was distressed to learn about her disappearance.

Abuse and death

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In 2019, Adam Montgomery was awarded full custody of Harmony by Judge Mark Newman. Adam was living with his wife Kayla and their two sons in New Hampshire at the time. Harmony was subjected to beatings and abuse by her father.[12][13] When Adam's uncle, Kevin Montgomery, noticed that Harmony had a black eye after visiting from Florida, Adam allegedly told him that he "bashed her" around. Kevin contacted child protective agencies to report the abuse, but nothing came of it. In late 2019, the Montgomerys were evicted from their home and began to live in a homeless shelter. Adam continued beating Harmony, who had trouble with toilet training. After beating her to death, Adam hid her body in a duffel bag.[14][15]

On March 12, 2024, a New Hampshire judge granted Harmony's mother Crystal Sorey's request to have Harmony declared legally dead due to Adam Montgomery's confession to abusing her corpse.[16]

Police investigation of the case

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Harmony's mother, Crystal Sorey, became concerned when Adam didn't bring her to visit for Thanksgiving. She questioned him on Facebook about Harmony, but he blocked her. Sorey then filed a missing person report for her daughter. Adam Montgomery, meanwhile, claimed that Harmony was living with her mother. In December 2021, the Manchester Police Department held a press conference about the case while cooperating with New Hampshire authorities.[17] Police also interviewed Michael Montgomery, Adam's brother, who said he had witnessed his brother's abusive nature toward Harmony.

On August 11, 2022, Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg and New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella stated they believed that Montgomery was dead and that her father murdered her.[18]

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Adam Montgomery was charged with second-degree murder, and the trial began on February 8, 2024 in the Superior Court in Hillsborough County. Prosecutor Christopher Knowles took the case while Montgomery was represented by Caroline Smith and James Brooks.[19]

Kayla Montgomery, meanwhile, became a state witness who testified against her now ex-husband Adam, who she said was physically and emotionally abusive during their marriage.[20][21] Harmony's family members and former co-workers of her mother testified against Adam.

On February 22, 2024, Adam Montgomery was found guilty of second-degree murder and falsifying physical evidence by the jury.[22][23] He was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison on May 9, 2024, with the sentence to be served consecutively with the sentence he was already serving for unrelated weapons charges.[24]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Massachusetts judge faces questions in case of missing 7-year-old Harmony Montgomery". WCVB. 28 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Harmony Montgomery's Father Admits Guilt on 2 Counts — But Points Finger at Slain 5-Year-Old's Stepmom". People.com.
  3. ^ "Police search Harmony Montgomery's old home as mom". Washington Post.
  4. ^ "She went missing two years before police found out". washington post.
  5. ^ "A 7-year-old girl disappeared in 2019. Police say they learn last week". Washington Post.
  6. ^ "Harmony Montgomery was missing two years before anyone noticed. Now her father is on trial for murder". independent. 22 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Harmony Montgomery trial – live: Stepmother sobs as she reveals chilling details of murder". independent.
  8. ^ "Police search Gilford Street property in connection to missing girl". union leader. 2 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Father of Harmony Montgomery, missing 5-year-old New Hampshire girl, found guilty of her murder". NBC News. 22 February 2024.
  10. ^ "'She's still out there: Mother of Harmony Montgomery reacts to guilty verdict". NECN. 22 February 2024.
  11. ^ "What we might have done to save Harmony Montgomery". The Boston Globe.
  12. ^ "Adam Montgomery's estranged wife finishes testimony in New Hampshire murder trial". CBS news. 12 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Stepmother of missing girl Harmony Montgomery wanted after missing court appearance". NBC news. 9 September 2022.
  14. ^ "Kayla Montgomery reveals what the family did after Harmony was 'beaten to death'". The Independent. 12 February 2024.
  15. ^ "Harmony Montgomery trial hears how girl's remains were 'crushed into diaper bag': Updates". The Independent.
  16. ^ "NH judge declares Harmony Montgomery legally dead, appoints mother to administer her estate". 12 March 2024.
  17. ^ "Child advocate slams state after Harmony Montgomery's death". Boston Hearld. 6 April 2023.
  18. ^ "NH police chief makes emotional plea at Harmony Montgomery briefing". Mass Live. 25 October 2022.
  19. ^ Melendez, Pilar (8 February 2024). "Adam Montgomery Ate Fast Food After Fatal Blow to 5-Year-Old Daughter: Prosecutor". Daily Beast.
  20. ^ "Mother-in-law, friend, former coworker testify in Adam Montgomery murder trial". NBC Boston. 13 February 2024.
  21. ^ "Harmony Montgomery trial shown blood-stained ceiling drywall where little girl's remains were hidden". independent. 15 February 2024.
  22. ^ "Harmony Montgomery's mother reacts as father Adam is convicted of her murder". independent. 23 February 2024.
  23. ^ "Harmony Montgomery trial prosecutors use father Adam's own words against him: 'I f***ed up'". independent. 21 February 2024.
  24. ^ Callery, Tim (2024-05-09). "Adam Montgomery sentenced to up to life in prison for murder of daughter, Harmony". WMUR. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
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