See full report here: https://indepthnh.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/harmony-montgomery-update-recommendations.pdf
By NANCY WEST, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – Gov. Chris Sununu released a report Friday showing how state and local officials handled abuse allegations involving Harmony Montgomery, the Manchester girl who has been missing for over two years since she was 5.
The seven-page report says an anonymous allegation to the New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families on July 29, 2019, that Harmony had a black eye and her father admitted causing it was deemed “unfounded.”
The report also details changes recommended in the child protection system as a result of her case. Manchester police started looking for Harmony in late December 2021, more than two years after Harmony’s mother, Crystal Sorey, last saw her on a video phone call on Easter 2019.
Harmony’s disappearance has captured the hearts of many across the country. Donations to the reward fund for information about her whereabouts have reached almost $150,000.
Harmony was living with her father Adam Montgomery and stepmother, Kayla Montgomery, with two half-siblings in Manchester when the anonymous caller reported seeing Harmony a week earlier with a black eye.
On the first visit to the household the same day as the report, the worker didn’t see anything consistent with a black eye. On the second visit, the same worker noted a mark in Harmony’s eye and faded bruising under her eyelid, the report said.
“When interviewed, Harmony Montgomery and Adam Montgomery said that the mark was caused by horseplay with another sibling when a toy light saber struck Harmony Montgomery near her eye,” the report said.
On the final visit on Oct. 1, 2019, the worker saw Harmony, Adam Montgomery, Kayla Montgomery, and the other children in the household.
“The children appeared happy and healthy,” the report said.
“The assessment was determined to be unfounded, however the situation was scored high risk for future child welfare involvement pursuant to the Risk Assessment tool citing the history of substance use, prior family history with child protection, and economic challenges,” the report said.
Adam Montgomery and Kayla Montgomery have both been arrested, but no one has been charged in Harmony’s disappearance.
Adam Montgomery was charged with assaulting Harmony, causing a black eye in 2019. Kayla Montgomery has been charged with welfare fraud for collecting benefits for Harmony when she was no longer living with the family.
“The summary is intended to share relevant information about DCYF’s involvement with the Montgomery family as it relates to Harmony Montgomery to assist the public with finding Harmony and help contextualize the circumstances surrounding recommendations for system improvement. It is not a complete case history,” the report said.
Details regarding DCYF’s involvement with the Montgomery family that do not relate to Harmony Montgomery have not been included.
The report said the Massachusetts child protection agency asked New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families on Dec. 19, 2018, to conduct an Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children Home Study on Adam Montgomery and Kayla Montgomery who were living in Manchester.
“The initial request lacked the requisite information to initiate a home study, and an email was sent from NH DCYF on Dec. 20, 2018, asking for additional information regarding Massachusetts DCF’s work to date with Adam Montgomery and Kayla Montgomery. Prior to receiving the requested additional information, NH DCYF was notified that the Massachusetts’ court had awarded custody to Adam Montgomery,” the report said.
The report recommended increased cross border collaboration when other states are involved with children’s custody.
It also recommended strengthening the processes to help ensure the safety of children who move out of a household.