CONCORD, N.H. — The daddy of Concord Montgomery, a New Hampshire lady who disappeared in 2019 at age 5 however was not reported lacking till late final 12 months, has been arrested on a cost of second-degree homicide, authorities stated Monday.
He’s accused of repeatedly putting her within the head with a closed fist that December.
Different counts in opposition to Adam Montgomery, 32, embody falsifying bodily proof and abuse of a corpse between December 2019 and March 2020. Authorities didn’t say whether or not the lady’s physique had been discovered.
Montgomery, is also charged with tampering with a witness by making an attempt to trigger his spouse and Concord’s stepmother, Kayla Montgomery, to offer false testimony. He’s scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Manchester.
An lawyer for Adam Montgomery didn’t instantly remark.
“I do need to once more categorical my deepest sympathies to Concord’s household, buddies and family members,” state Lawyer Basic John Formella stated on the information convention in Manchester. “We perceive that immediately’s information, whereas important for functions of this investigation, is one more troublesome second for many who liked Concord and people who have adopted this case.”
In August, authorities stated the case had change into a murder investigation. They stated they consider Concord was killed in Manchester, the state’s largest metropolis, in early December 2019.
Police first turned conscious that Concord is perhaps lacking after they acquired a name from the lady’s mom, Crystal Sorey, in November. She had been unsuccessfully making an attempt to find the lady for months, police stated.
Police stated they contacted Adam Montgomery, who had custody of Concord, and different relations by the top of December. Based on courtroom paperwork, police advised him that Concord had not been seen in additional than two years and there was concern over whether or not she was nonetheless alive.
Concord’s father and stepmother, who’ve since pleaded not responsible to costs associated to her well-being, advised police that Adam introduced Concord to be with Sorey in Massachusetts round Thanksgiving 2019. Sorey stated she final noticed her daughter throughout a telephone video dialog round Easter that 12 months.
“I’m in shock at this level, it hasn’t actually hit me but,” Sorey stated in a textual content message to The Related Press. She added that “no one wished to hearken to me, this might’ve all been averted, however now we’re confronted with the largest battle my household will ever face!”
Adam Montgomery was in courtroom final month as his attorneys argued that a number of the statements he made to police ought to be suppressed. They stated he advised police a number of occasions that “I’ve obtained nothing else to say” when questioned additional about his daughter’s whereabouts and stated he didn’t need to speak to them, but police stored asking him questions.
He faces a trial subsequent month in an unrelated case on stolen weapons costs.
Bail for Kayla Montgomery was lately revoked after she didn’t present up at a listening to on costs in opposition to her, together with that she lied to state well being officers about having Concord Montgomery in her care.
Concord’s case has prompted an outpouring of help, together with vigils and social media websites. Police provided money rewards for info and devoted a 24-hour tip line to the case.
“I ask that in reminiscence of Concord that all of us make each effort to do one thing good for a kid immediately,” Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg stated on the information convention. He added, “Simply take a number of moments out of your day to say one thing good to a toddler, give her or him a hug, some particular phrases of encouragement.”
