Missing Child Spotlight: Harmony Montgomery

Harmony Montgomery’s disappearance is one which is anything but normal. Chasing down every possible avenue in the hopes of finding Harmony is the top priority to the Manchester, New Hampshire police force. From her home life, to the circumstances around her being reported missing, filling the gaps is imperative in finding Harmony.

The last time anyone had seen Harmony was in 2019, but she was only reported missing on New Year's Eve 2021 by the New Hampshire Division of Child, Youth, and Families (DCYF). By the time Harmony was reported missing, she hadn’t been seen by anyone for over two years. 

Harmony’s biological mother Crystal Sorey has stated the last time she FaceTimed her daughter was on Easter 2019. Sorey lost physical custody of Harmony in 2018 due to struggling with substance abuse issues. Harmony’s father, 31 year old Adam Montgomery blocked all contact between Harmony and her mother. Sorey eventually found help for her addictions and began searching for her daughter.

Crystal reportedly called DCYF to report that she hadn’t heard about her daughter in over six months, but in reality it was over a year and a half.

Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg claims the last time she was officially seen was in response to a 911 call in October of 2019 in the city. He also has claimed that it is possible she could have been seen somewhere outside of Manchester.

After Harmony was declared missing, the investigation became the main priority of the Manchester police department. Chief Aldenberg has stated the police force isn’t looking for anyone else besides Harmony. 

The last place Harmony was known to live was at 77 Gilford Street in Manchester. This home was the initial subject of investigation into her disappearance. Although a new family has moved into the premises and has nothing to do with the investigation personally, they let investigators come in to see if they could find any evidence. Using ground warmers, they dug in the backyard for three days before closing their investigation of the home. Officials will not say whether they found any incriminating evidence, citing the ongoing investigation. 

While there is no official prime suspect in this case, most are acknowledging the chaotic and abusive home life Harmony was living through.

Manchester Police were called twenty-nine times about the home prior to her disappearance. These calls often came from concerned neighbors, mostly concerning nuisance calls, animal complaints and two child welfare calls. Four calls were made by Adam Montgomery himself, and domestic disputes and a missing car were amongst the others. 

In lieu of the police’s investigation, Kayla Montgomery was interviewed and arrested on charges of welfare fraud for claiming four children in their house when only three children were living there. Both Adam and Kayla claimed four children were living with them, and received food stamp funds which were meant for Harmony. They also claimed all the children as dependents.

During her initial interview with police, Kayla claimed that the last time she’d seen Harmony was in November or December 2019. She believed Adam took Harmony to her mother. Kayla never saw or heard from Harmony after that day. 

During a conversation with a case worker in January of 2021, Kayla Montgomery, Harmony’s step-mother, seemed confused whether Harmony lived at her home or not because she supposedly would “visit her biological mother every other weekend.” 

Kayla also stated that she hadn’t seen Adam since October and hadn’t spoken to him since November. Kayla was held on a $5,000 bail. She pleaded not guilty to all charges in the Hillsborough County Superior Court. She was released on her own recognizance and made to check in with Manchester police daily. 

On Monday, January 10th, 2022, her attorney petitioned the court to lower Kayla’s $5,000 bail. While the welfare fraud charges have been dropped, the New Hampshire attorney general’s office has added eight new charges stemming from the alleged welfare fraud. 

According to Adam Montgomery’s uncle Kevin, when he visited Adam’s home in July 2019, Harmony had a black eye. Adam reportedly told Kevin that “I bashed her around the apartment.” Kevin also told investigators about cruel punishments her father would inflict upon her. Such as making her stand in the corner for hours and scrubbing the toilet with her toothbrush. Family members have made multiple reports to the New Hampshire DCYF. Kayla Montgomery’s mother has called Adam pure evil.

These claims of abuse are not the only claims of violent behavior from Adam Montgomery. Prior to Harmony’s disappearance, in 2014, Montgomery was sentenced to 18 months in prison for shooting a man in the head in Haverhill, Massachusetts while trying to rob the victim. He pled guilty to assault and battery with a deadly weapon, larceny from a person, carrying a gun without a license, and firing a weapon within 500 feet of a building.

On January 4, 2022, Adam was arrested on a warrant charging him with second degree assault against Harmony. He was also charged with three misdemeanors, one charge of interference with custody, and two charges of endangering the welfare of a child. His lawyer pleaded not guilty on his behalf. He is being held without bail. 

Manchester Police Chief Aldenberg understands that they cannot just focus on Manchester. With the time which has passed and as broad of a net they must cast, billboards have been placed in multiple different states. The last time she was enrolled in school was in Massachusetts, so this case is truly a national case. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the FBI have joined the search as well. 

The Manchester police department are unable to issue an Amber Alert because they do not know who she could be with if she is with anyone, or what type of car she could be in. Governor Chris Sununu has pleaded for the public’s help in finding Harmony.

Harmony’s mother Crystal Sorey has hope that her daughter is still alive. “I don’t feel like she’s gone. I just don’t feel that in my heart. And a mother knows, a mother knows if your baby’s here or not. I know she’s here.”

Harmony is described as being 4 feet tall, weighing fifty pounds, and has blonde hair, blue eyes, and glasses. The reward for information leading to Harmony’s location is now $104,000, according to police. The Manchester Police Department has also set up a dedicated, 24/7 monitored tip line at 603-203-6060. Anonymous tips can also be called in to the Manchester Crimeline (603) 624-4040.

If you have any information, please, do not hesitate to call. 

Photo: The National Center For Missing and Exploited Kids