When the System Fails a Child: Harmony Montgomery

Posted by Trin | Case Files | Child Missing | New Hampshire | October 2019

Introduction

Harmony Montgomery wasn’t reported missing until two years after anyone last saw her.

Let that sink in.

A bright-eyed 5-year-old vanished—and the system didn’t notice. Her school didn’t follow up. Her caretakers lied. The courts lost track. And by the time anyone asked the right questions, it was too late.

This isn’t just a case about a missing child. It’s a case about a system that forgot how to protect the most vulnerable among us.

Case Background

Harmony was born in 2014 in Massachusetts. Her early years were marked by instability—custody disputes, DCYF involvement, and red flags missed by nearly everyone involved.

In 2019, full custody of Harmony was awarded to her biological father, Adam Montgomery—a man with a long criminal history and a record of violence. Her mother, Crystal Sorey, had battled addiction but was in recovery and actively trying to stay in contact with her daughter.

Despite reports from family members that Harmony was being mistreated, she remained in Adam’s custody. Crystal said her calls and concerns were ignored. Harmony’s last verified sighting came sometime in late 2019.

Timeline of Key Events

  • October–December 2019: Family members last report seeing Harmony in Manchester, NH. Reports of abuse by Adam—including giving Harmony a black eye—begin to surface.
  • 2020–2021: No school records, no doctor visits, no official documentation confirms Harmony’s presence. She effectively vanishes from the system without notice.
  • December 2021: Harmony is finally reported missing by her mother, who says she has not seen her daughter in over two years. A missing child investigation is launched.
  • 2022: Adam Montgomery is arrested for child abuse charges but not for Harmony’s disappearance. Crystal continues to speak out publicly, demanding accountability.
  • August 2023: Authorities announce they believe Harmony was murdered in December 2019. Adam is charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence.

Red Flags & System Failures

  • Adam had a known history of violence—yet was granted full custody without proper follow-up.
  • There were repeated concerns from both Crystal and extended family that Harmony was in danger.
  • No welfare checks occurred for two years. The system simply lost her.
  • There was no educational or medical tracking to confirm her well-being after 2019.

Media & Documentary Coverage

  • 20/20: “The Search for Harmony” – A deep dive into the timeline, this episode follows Crystal’s pleas and law enforcement’s long-overdue actions. It highlights how easily a child can disappear when no one checks in.
  • Crime Junkie Podcast – Their coverage called attention to the systemic breakdowns and helped spread awareness about the case nationally.
  • Dateline NBC – Multiple segments focused on how Harmony’s case has led to proposed legislative changes, such as mandatory welfare follow-ups post-custody rulings.

A Mom’s Reflection

As mothers, we worry about everything—from scraped knees to broken hearts. But we also trust the system to catch what we can’t. When it fails this completely, it shakes something in us.

Harmony deserved more. She deserved to be tracked. Seen. Fought for. Protected. Instead, she became a ghost inside a bureaucracy that saw paperwork before people. She slipped through every crack—and it cost her everything.

This case isn’t just heartbreaking—it’s infuriating. It’s not a failure of one parent. It’s a failure of policy, oversight, and action. It’s a wake-up call that children are not file numbers—they’re human. And if we don’t do better, we’ll lose more like her.

As a mom, I can’t stop thinking about her last days. Did she cry for help? Did anyone hear her? Did she wonder why no one came?

Lessons We Can’t Ignore

  • Custody decisions must be followed by consistent welfare checks.
  • Family concerns should never be dismissed without verification.
  • Every child in the system deserves visibility—medical, educational, emotional.
  • Silence isn’t always safe. And a missing voice might mean more than we realize.

Final Words

Harmony Montgomery was a child. A sister. A student. A bright light.

She is more than a missing poster or a case file. Her story is a warning: that neglect doesn’t always look like chaos. Sometimes it looks like silence, paperwork, and people failing to ask the right questions.

We remember her not just by saying her name—but by demanding better for every child like her.

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