CONCORD, N.H. — The mother of a 5-year-old girl who was killed in 2019 and whose body has not been found, asked a probate judge on Monday to declare the girl legally dead and to be appointed as administrator of her estate.
Crystal Sorey took the first steps in preparation of a planned wrongful death lawsuit regarding her daughter, Harmony Montgomery, more than two weeks after Harmony’s father, Adam Montgomery, was convicted of fatally beating her and other crimes. She has not said whom she plans to sue.
Sorey’s lawyer told Judge Beth Kissinger in Nashua that Adam Montgomery’s second-degree murder conviction, plus his admission of guilt to lesser charges that he moved her body around for months afterward and falsified physical evidence, was enough to result in a legal death declaration.
Kissinger did not rule immediately, asking for court paperwork, including the jury’s verdict and a probate surety bond from Sorey, which would guarantee she would fulfill her duties under the law as administrator.
A Webex connection was set up at the men’s state prison in Concord for Adam Montgomery to participate in the hearing, but he refused to attend, a prison official said. Montgomery also had declined to show up at his two-week trial.
Montgomery and Sorey were not in a relationship when their daughter was born in 2014. Harmony Montgomery lived on and off with foster families and her mother until Sorey lost custody in 2018. Montgomery was awarded custody in early 2019, and Sorey testified she last saw her daughter during a FaceTime call around Easter of that year.
Sorey eventually went to police, who announced they were looking for the missing child on New Year’s Eve 2021. In early 2022, authorities searched a home in Manchester where Montgomery had lived and charged him with assault, interference with custody and child endangerment.
By that June, Montgomery also was facing numerous charges related to stolen guns, while his estranged wife, Kayla Montgomery, was charged with perjury for lying to a grand jury investigating her stepdaughter’s disappearance. She has been serving an 18-month sentence and is expected to be paroled in May.
In August 2022, Attorney General John Formella announced that investigators believed Harmony was dead and that the case was being treated as a homicide.
Harmony Montgomery’s case has exposed weaknesses in child protection systems and prompted calls to prioritize the well-being of children over parents in custody matters.
The tragic death of a 5-year-old girl at the hands of her own father has sparked outrage and disbelief in the community. The mother of the young girl, who has been left devastated by the loss of her daughter, has decided to take legal action against her ex-husband for wrongful death.
The incident occurred last month when the father, who had been granted visitation rights, picked up his daughter for a weekend visit. However, instead of returning the child as scheduled, he took her to a remote location and allegedly killed her before taking his own life. The mother was left heartbroken and in shock upon hearing the news of her daughter’s death.
In the wake of this tragedy, the mother has decided to seek justice for her daughter by initiating legal action against her ex-husband for wrongful death. She believes that he should be held accountable for his actions and that justice must be served for the innocent life that was taken too soon.
Wrongful death lawsuits are civil actions brought by the survivors of a deceased person against those responsible for their death. In this case, the mother is seeking compensation for the loss of her daughter, as well as punitive damages to hold the father accountable for his actions.
While no amount of money can ever truly compensate for the loss of a loved one, wrongful death lawsuits can provide some measure of justice and closure for the surviving family members. It also sends a message to others that such actions will not be tolerated and that those responsible will be held accountable.
The mother’s decision to pursue legal action in the wake of such a devastating loss is a brave and courageous one. It takes immense strength to stand up for justice in the face of such tragedy, but she is determined to seek justice for her daughter and ensure that her ex-husband is held accountable for his actions.
As the legal process unfolds, the community stands in solidarity with the mother and her family, offering support and condolences during this difficult time. The hope is that through the legal system, justice will be served and some measure of closure will be found for the grieving mother and her family.
In conclusion, the mother of the 5-year-old girl killed by her father has taken a bold step in seeking justice through legal action for wrongful death. While nothing can ever bring back her daughter, she is determined to hold her ex-husband accountable for his actions and ensure that justice is served. The community stands behind her in solidarity, offering support and comfort during this difficult time.
