A New Hampshire jury has delivered a verdict of guilty on multiple charges, including second-degree murder, against Adam Montgomery, the father of missing 5-year-old Harmony Montgomery. The case, which has garnered significant attention, saw Montgomery also convicted of second-degree assault, witness tampering, falsifying physical evidence, and abuse of a corpse.
Harmony Montgomery was first reported missing in November 2021 by her mother, Crystal Sorey, who recalled her last sighting of the girl during a FaceTime call in the spring of 2019. However, authorities confirmed that Harmony was last seen in October 2019, leading to grave concerns about her whereabouts.
During court proceedings, it was revealed that Montgomery had been indicted in January 2023, accused of fatally striking Harmony on the head with a closed fist, resulting in her death. The Assistant Attorney General, Benjamin Agati, described the case as “very, very difficult,” emphasizing the inherent value of every individual’s life, regardless of age or circumstance.
Despite Harmony’s remains not being located, Montgomery was found guilty of destroying, concealing, or hiding her body between December 7, 2019, and March 4, 2020, impeding the investigation into her disappearance.
The trial shed light on the failures of state welfare officials in ensuring Harmony’s safety. A comprehensive 101-page report from the state’s Office of the Child Advocate detailed Harmony’s tumultuous time in and out of foster care, ultimately leading to her placement in her father’s custody. Despite concerns raised by foster parents regarding the impact of reunification attempts with her mother, the court awarded full custody to Montgomery in February 2019.
Maria Mossaides, director of the Office of the Child Advocate, lamented the systemic failures that failed to prioritize Harmony’s well-being, highlighting the need for substantial reforms to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Montgomery’s sentencing date is yet to be determined, but he faces the possibility of life in prison for the second-degree murder charge. Meanwhile, law enforcement continues its relentless search for Harmony, holding out hope that someone may provide crucial information leading to her discovery.