New Hampshire
Harmony Montgomery’s mother files wrongful death lawsuit against N.H. – The Boston Globe
“We are going to hold the State of New Hampshire accountable for Harmony’s senseless and preventable death, shine a light on the systemic failures in her case to prevent future tragedies, give Harmony the voice that she never had, and get Harmony the justice that she so deeply deserves,” said Cyrus F. Rilee, an attorney representing Sorey in the case.
Authorities in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts largely overlooked Harmony’s two-year disappearance, and the case has illuminated gaps in child protective services in both states.
“We will review the complaint and respond as appropriate,” said Michael S. Garrity, a spokesperson for the attorney general’s office.
“I’m Harmony’s voice, and I’m her warrior. Everything I do is for her. I can’t let people forget,” Sorey told reporters in March, after a court appearance that paved the way for civil litigation.
According to the lawsuit, Harmony Montgomery lived with her mother in Massachusetts from the time she was born in 2014 until February 2019, when the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families removed the child from Sorey over allegations of neglect. Sorey has said she was struggling with substance abuse at the time.
State officials in Massachusetts worked with New Hampshire’s Division of Children, Youth, and Families, placing the child in her father’s custody in Manchester, N.H., according to the complaint.
It details how about five months after the placement, multiple people, including Adam’s uncle Kevin Montgomery, started making reports to DCYF, expressing their concern about Harmony’s living conditions and her well-being, after she was seen with a black eye.
“Kevin reported that Adam told him he had ‘bounced her off every f—ing wall in this place,’” the lawsuit said. While speaking with a DCYF staffer, the lawsuit said, Kevin Montgomery grew frustrated when he was questioned on the accuracy of his dates, and said “this is why children die” and that “this child was punched clear in the eye socket with full force.”
Another person who reported issues to DCYF also had concerns that Harmony’s situation could end up being fatal for her.
The reports to DCYF included details about unsafe living conditions, how electricity and hot water in the home had been turned off, the presence of drug paraphernalia, and how Harmony’s father punished her by forcing her to stand in the corner for hours or stay in her bedroom from when she woke up until the late afternoon, according to the lawsuit.
Reports were also made to DCYF about how Harmony wasn’t receiving care from a doctor, and that in the fall, she hadn’t been enrolled in school, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit argues that the state was negligent and didn’t meet minimum standards of care for Harmony, even after receiving reports about physical and emotional abuse and neglect by her caretakers.
It also says that the state failed to launch a thorough and competent investigation into reports of suspected abuse, exposing Harmony to “foreseeable harm.” According to the lawsuit, as a direct result of DCYF’s negligence Harmony endured corporal punishment, verbal and mental abuse, and beatings that ultimately caused her death.
Sorey has said she didn’t hear from the girl’s father after 2019, and she grew frantic in 2021. At that point, she turned to the Manchester police and mayor’s office, resulting in an investigation that culminated in Adam Montgomery’s arrest.
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu slammed the Massachusetts courts for placing Harmony with a “monstrous drug dealer.” But this lawsuit contends that child welfare workers in New Hampshire were ultimately responsible because they didn’t remove her from his custody after receiving reports of his abuse.
Sununu’s office released a seven-page report in February 2022 acknowledging that a New Hampshire child welfare worker repeatedly made contact with Adam Montgomery after his daughter’s disappearance. At least twice, the worker asked specifically about Harmony’s whereabouts, and Adam Montgomery claimed he had returned the girl to her mother. The worker left a voicemail for Sorey in January 2020, but the message went unreturned, and there is no evidence that any additional attempts were made to contact her, according to the report.
The Massachusetts Office of the Child Advocate released a 100-page report in May 2022, acknowledging that the state’s child welfare system overlooked Harmony’s needs at every turn.
Material from prior Globe reports was used in this article.
Amanda Gokee can be reached at amanda.gokee@globe.com. Follow her @amanda_gokee.
The New Hampshire Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 7 drawing
15-28-57-58-63, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 7 drawing
05-14-15-21-39, Lucky Ball: 10
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Jan. 7 drawing
Day: 1-5-7
Evening: 0-1-4
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Jan. 7 drawing
Day: 6-8-6-9
Evening: 7-8-6-6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Megabucks Plus numbers from Jan. 7 drawing
03-08-13-33-40, Megaball: 04
Check Megabucks Plus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Gimme 5 numbers from Jan. 7 drawing
16-19-21-25-34
Check Gimme 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the New Hampshire Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Pick 3, 4: 1:10 p.m. and 6:55 p.m. daily.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Megabucks Plus: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a New Hampshire managing editor. You can send feedback using this form.
On January 3, the United States military carried out what the administration called a “large-scale strike” in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, amid several reported explosions and aerial bombardment.
Tune in to Civics 101 during Here & Now on Thursday, January 8 for a special edition breaking down one of the most unprecedented events in recent international affairs. This segment begins at 1:40 p.m. EST.
Listen to NHPR on your radio, stream us online, or just ask your smart speaker to “play NHPR.” You can also listen to this special episode of Civics 101 on demand.
In this episode, hosts Hannah McCarthy and Nick Capodice break down the history, context, and legality of what’s unfolding now — and what it could mean for Venezuela, the United States, and international law.
Former Detroit Tigers starting pitcher is Rockies’ first signing of winter
Year 1 of the Lurie era is done. Here’s how he kept — or whiffed — his biggest promises
Dallas Weather: Changes on the way for North Texas
Crash involving unmarked Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office vehicle impacts morning commute
Battenfeld: Michelle Wu should demand better security after Boston Medical Center rape
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Video: Minnesota Governor Condemns ICE Shooting
Trump greenlights Russian sanctions bill, paving way for 500% tariff on countries supporting Moscow: Graham
Saudi-led coalition says STC’s al-Zubaidi fled to UAE via Somaliland
U.S. to exit 66 international organizations in further retreat from global cooperation
San Diego sues to stop border barrier construction
-
Detroit, MI5 days ago2 hospitalized after shooting on Lodge Freeway in Detroit
-
Dallas, TX3 days agoDefensive coordinator candidates who could improve Cowboys’ brutal secondary in 2026
-
Technology2 days agoPower bank feature creep is out of control
-
Health4 days agoViral New Year reset routine is helping people adopt healthier habits
-
Nebraska1 day agoOregon State LB transfer Dexter Foster commits to Nebraska
-
Politics4 days agoDan Bongino officially leaves FBI deputy director role after less than a year, returns to ‘civilian life’
-
Nebraska2 days agoNebraska-based pizza chain Godfather’s Pizza is set to open a new location in Queen Creek
-
Louisiana3 days agoInternet company started with an antenna in a tree. Now it’s leading Louisiana’s broadband push.