A Massachusetts authorities company that advocates for youngster safety stated it discovered a number of flaws within the dealing with of a lacking 7-year-old girl’s authorized case and that her safety was not made a precedence.
The Massachusetts Office of the Child Advocate launched a report Wednesday regarding Harmony Montgomery, a New Hampshire lady who hasn’t been seen since 2019. Police had been not made conscious of her disappearance till late final 12 months.
“The central and most important finding in this investigation and report is that Harmony’s individual needs, wellbeing, and safety were not prioritized or considered on an equal footing with the assertion of her parents’ rights to care for her in any aspect of the decision making by any state entity,” Maria Mossaides, the office’s director, said in a statement.
Harmony was born in Massachusetts and was in the care of that state’s Department of Children and Families from 2014 until February 2019 when her father, who lived in New Hampshire, was awarded custody.
The Manchester Police Department in New Hampshire has said that Harmony has not been seen since late 2019. The girl’s father, Adam Montgomery, and stepmother, Kayla Montgomery, were arrested earlier this year.
Harmony’s mother, Crystal Sorey, has not been arrested.
The Office of the Child Advocate said in its report that DCF focused its attention on helping Sorey with substance abuse and mental health issues and assisting Adam Montgomery, who was still in and out of his daughter’s life. Because of this, according to the report, Harmony’s “want for safety and stability did not obtain the mandatory consideration.”
“When children are not at the center of every aspect of the child protection system, then the system cannot truly protect them,” Mossaides stated.
Police have stated that the circumstances surrounding Harmony’s disappearance are “very concerning.” They did not touch upon the report.
Adam Montgomery was charged with felony second-degree assault, interference with custody and two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a kid.
The assault cost stems from a July 2019 incident when he’s alleged to have admitted to a involved uncle that he gave Harmony a black eye after she did not hold her youthful brother from crying, an affidavit states.
Kayla Montgomery was charged with welfare fraud after she was alleged to have collected greater than $1,500 in meals stamp advantages for the kid, regardless that Harmony was now not residing on the residence. Adam and Kayla Montgomery have each pleaded not responsible.
Kayla Montgomery instructed investigators that Adam Montgomery knowledgeable her in late 2019 that Harmony was going to dwell along with her mom, Crystal Sorey. Adam Montgomery, who had authorized custody on the time, allegedly instructed police that Sorey picked the lady up.
Sorey, nonetheless, has stated that she had been attempting to find her daughter since April 2019 and reached out to close by faculties and the New Hampshire Division of Children, Youth and Families. She has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
