Manchester, New Hampshire – A New Hampshire father is set to go on trial this week for the alleged murder of his 5-year-old daughter in December of 2019. Adam Montgomery, 34, faces charges of second-degree murder, falsifying physical evidence, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with a witness. The trial is expected to last three weeks, with jury selection scheduled to begin on Tuesday.
Montgomery has been awaiting trial for over a year now, having pleaded not guilty to all charges. He was sentenced to serve 32-and-a-half to 75 years in a separate gun case while awaiting trial in the disappearance of his daughter. His alleged involvement in his daughter’s death has resulted in a separate chain of criminal charges against him.
The case of Harmony Montgomery, the 5-year-old victim, drew national attention and unleashed public grief and anger. Her mother, Crystal Sorey, first reported her missing in November 2021, having last seen her in a video conversation around Easter of 2019. Harmony was born in Massachusetts in 2014 and had a tumultuous upbringing, being put into custody of child protective services in Massachusetts at an early age due to her parents’ substance abuse history.
Newly unsealed documents have revealed gruesome details related to the alleged murder of Harmony Montgomery. According to a police affidavit released last summer, Montgomery’s wife, Kayla, stated that he killed Harmony in the family’s car in December 2019 and spent months moving and hiding her body before disposing of it in early March 2020.
The case has highlighted deficiencies in the child welfare system, prompting public outrage and demands for reform. It has triggered nationwide emotional responses and has led to vigils, cash rewards for information, and a dedicated 24-hour tip line set up by the police.
Adam Montgomery’s upcoming trial has reignited public interest in the case, raising questions about the protection and safety of vulnerable children in the child welfare system. The trial will serve as a litmus test for the criminal justice system’s ability to deliver justice in cases of child abuse and neglect.