Responding to a letter sent by New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu criticizing a Massachusetts court, Chief Justice Kimberly Budd pledged to take the necessary steps regarding the case of Harmony Montgomery, a New Hampshire girl, the Associated Press reported.
“I share your view that we need to learn as much as we can about what happened,” Budd wrote.
In his letter, Sununu described Harmony’s father, Adam Montgomery, as a “monster,” with a criminal record, including armed assault, drug offenses and allegedly shooting someone in the head.
Sununu wrote that the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families officials requested that the New Hampshire Department of Children Youth and Families conduct a site visit to see if the home was a safe environment. However, a Massachusetts court ruled in favor of Adam Montgomery before the visit happened.
“Why would the Massachusetts court choose to place custody of Harmony with this horrible individual?” Sununu wrote. “What caused such a fateful decision?”
According to WCVB-TV, a judge granted Harmony’s father custody despite his criminal history.
Budd said the Massachusetts Trial Court is working with the Massachusetts Office of the Child Advocate, AP reported.
Newsweek reported that the New Hampshire’s Attorney General’s Office believes it narrowed Harmony’s disappearance to between November 28 and December 10, 2019, after her family was evicted from its Manchester home.
Her father and stepmother, Kayla Montgomery, have been arrested and jailed on charges related to Harmony’s well-being.
Adam Montgomery faces several charges, including assault and child endangerment. Kayla Montgomery previously was arrested for allegedly collecting $1,500 in food stamps for Harmony despite the girl not living with her. That charge was dropped and replaced with nine new charges.
Adam and Kayla Montgomery have pleaded not guilty.
At the time of her disappearance, Harmony was 5 but wasn’t reported missing for two years, in late 2021.
Harmony’s biological mother, Crystal Sorey, told investigators she last saw her daughter via Facetime in April of 2019.
Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg said the reward for information concerning the missing girl has surpassed $144,000, and detectives have received hundreds of tips.
“I’m going to be honest with you, I’m a little discouraged, but we remain determined on finding Harmony and bringing her home to the people that care for her,” Aldenberg said.
Authorities encourage anyone with information to call the 24-hour tip line at 603-203-6060.
