New Hampshire AG
The stepmother of Concord Montgomery has now been charged in reference to the continuing saga to search out the 7-year-old who was final seen in New Hampshire in 2019.
Kayla Montgomery, 31, was arrested Wednesday on one rely of welfare fraud after allegedly persevering with to gather food-stamp advantages for Concord. The New Hampshire Legal professional Normal’s Workplace mentioned that between Dec. 2019 and June 2021, Montgomery obtained greater than $1,500 in food-stamp advantages on Concord’s behalf—despite the fact that the kid was now not residing along with her and her husband, Adam.
Throughout a Thursday bond listening to, Montgomery pleaded not responsible earlier than a decide finally ordered $5,000 bail. Prosecutors argued for that bail quantity, calling her a flight danger, whereas her protection crew mentioned she doesn’t have the funds to safe that bond. The bail order additionally states that Montgomery can't have any contact along with her husband.
Whereas Montgomery is just not the organic mom of Concord, the fees towards the Manchester, New Hampshire, resident are simply the newest towards the adults closest to the kid, who was final bodily seen in Oct. 2019.
Adam Montgomery, 31, was booked Tuesday night on an array of expenses, together with felony second-degree assault in reference to 2019 conduct towards Concord. He was additionally charged with one misdemeanor cost of interference with custody, and two misdemeanor expenses of endangering the welfare of a kid pertaining to his daughter.
In an arrest affidavit, investigators outlined a collection of disturbing allegations towards Adam, claiming he admitted to his uncle that he gave Concord a black eye in 2019—simply months after child-protective companies granted him custody of the then 5-year-old.
“I bashed her round the home,” Adam Montgomery allegedly advised his uncle, Kevin, after stating he left his daughter “accountable for watching her toddler brother whereas Adam was within the lavatory” and later discovered the toddler crying.
Manchester Police Division
Kevin Montgomery beforehand described witnessing the aftermath of abuse—together with a black eye—to The Each day Beast. That abuse, he advised investigators, included Concord being spanked “laborious on the butt,” being pressured “to face within the nook for hours,” and being ordered, “to wash the bathroom along with her toothbrush.”
The affidavit for Adam Montgomery additionally offered new particulars into the months main as much as Concord’s disappearance, who police say was final seen at a Manchester residence after officers answered a name in Oct. 2019.
On Nov. 18, Concord's mom, Crystal Sorey, referred to as the Manchester Police Division to report her daughter “was lacking and that she hadn’t seen [her] in over six months.” The decision prompted authorities to launch a seek for her, which included speaking to a number of of Concord’s relations—together with Kayla Montgomery.
In a New 12 months’s Eve dialog, Kayla Montgomery mentioned the final time she bodily noticed Concord was in November or December of 2019 earlier than heading into work. At the moment, Adam Montgomery allegedly advised his spouse “he was driving [Harmony] again to Crystal,” who was residing in Massachusetts.
“Kayla claimed she by no means noticed, or heard about [Harmony] after that day,” the affidavit states, noting she mentioned she had not seen her husband since Oct. 2021. “Kayla admitted that she had seen [Harmony] with a black eye prior to now; nevertheless, she defined that Adam advised her it was brought on by one among their different youngsters placing [Harmony] with a toy.”
In an arrest affidavit, obtained by The Each day Beast, authorities say that despite the fact that Kayla Montgomery believed Concord had been at her mom’s home since 2019, she continued to acquire and spend food-stamp advantages supposed for the kid.
Authorities say she first added Concord to the account in Feb. 2019, when her husband was granted full custody of the kid.
“She is 4 years outdated and completely blind in a single eye, she was born like that,” Kayla wrote in an try so as to add Concord to her account, which included three youngsters she shared with Adam.
Authorities say Kayla Montgomery was granted an additional $129 a month for Concord—which she continued to obtain for 19 months earlier than finally reverting the account to take away her step-daughter.
Shortly after Kayla Montgomery’s Dec. 31 dialog with authorities, a “lacking youngster” alert was issued and police launched an investigation to search out the lady, who could also be carrying glasses and is blind in her proper eye.
Within the days since opening the case, police have searched the house Montgomery as soon as lived in along with her household, touted a 24-hour tip line, acquired help from the FBI, and introduced a $60,000 reward for details about Concord’s whereabouts.
Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg insisted on Monday the Concord Montgomery case was nonetheless being investigated as a lacking individuals matter.
“I'm in rescue mode proper now. This isn't a restoration. All efforts are targeted on that Concord is alive… till someone factors to me that proves that she is just not. We have now to function beneath the idea that she is alive,” Aldenberg mentioned. “Assist us discover this little lady. Somebody is aware of one thing. Do what is correct and name in. I can't emphasize this sufficient. Somebody on the market is aware of one thing.”