New Hampshire Woman Granted Parole in Daughter’s Killing Case

Estranged Wife of Convicted Murderer to be Released in May

Convicted Husband’s Sentencing Coincides with Wife’s Release

CONCORD, N.H. — Kayla Montgomery, 33, the estranged wife of a New Hampshire man convicted of killing his 5-year-old daughter, has been granted parole after serving a sentence for lying about her whereabouts when the child went missing. Montgomery, who played a key role as a witness against her husband during his trial, is scheduled to be released in May, just days before her husband’s sentencing.

Opportunity for Redemption and Community Scrutiny

After a hearing at the state correctional facility for women in New Hampshire, Montgomery expressed her regret for not cooperating with the detectives and hindering the investigation. Montgomery acknowledged that her dishonesty prolonged the search for the missing child, stating, “If I just was honest from the beginning, they could have done their job sooner.”

While awaiting sentencing, Kayla Montgomery is expected to complete mandatory prison programs focused on substance abuse treatment. Her release will be subject to an intense supervision period of at least several months.

Child Protection Systems Under Fire

Harmony Montgomery’s heartbreaking case has shed light on numerous flaws within child protection systems, sparking renewed calls for prioritizing the welfare of children over parents in custody matters. The young victim endured a series of residential transfers between her mother and foster parents before her father, Adam Montgomery, was granted custody and relocated to New Hampshire in 2019.

Michelle Raftery, a former foster parent of Harmony Montgomery, attended Kayla’s parole hearing and found herself overcome with emotion as she learned of the board’s decision. Raftery had no comment following the hearing.

Details of the Tragic Incident

Authorities believe that Harmony Montgomery, Kayla’s stepdaughter, was killed on December 7, 2019. Shockingly, Harmony’s disappearance remained unreported for almost two years. Despite extensive efforts, her body has yet to be found.

As a stepmother, Kayla Montgomery has already lost parental rights to her four biological children, three of whom she shares with her husband, Adam Montgomery. Kayla Montgomery mentioned her intentions to file an appeal and regain custody of her children.

Challenges and Plea for Understanding

During her hearing, an emotional Kayla Montgomery detailed her personal struggles, recounting her failures in one treatment program and her violation of rules in another by pretending to take her medication. However, she expressed her commitment to personal growth, stating, “I’ve actually been working on myself.”

Reminding Montgomery of the potential community pressure and the importance of honesty, parole board member Tricia Thompson emphasized the consequences of further deception. Montgomery, acknowledging the challenges she will face, responded, “All I can do is take it one day at a time.”

Guilty Plea and Cooperation

Earlier this year, in 2022, Kayla Montgomery pleaded guilty to two perjury charges stemming from false testimony given during a grand jury hearing. Montgomery had lied about her whereabouts, claiming to be working at a doughnut shop on the day she last saw Harmony Montgomery. Sentenced to at least 18 months in prison, Montgomery voluntarily agreed to work alongside the prosecution in the case against Adam.

In a plea agreement, several charges against Kayla were dropped, including lying to state health officials about caring for the child to collect welfare benefits, as well as receiving stolen firearms.

Tensions in a Troubled Relationship

In her testimony, Kayla Montgomery described a hostile relationship in which she feared her husband, Adam Montgomery. According to her account, tensions escalated after Adam suspected she might go to the police. She alleged that the abuse intensified, resulting in her sustaining physical injuries. Finally, in March 2021, Montgomery managed to escape the relationship.

A Troubling Testimony

Kayla Montgomery testified, revealing her family’s dire situation just before the fateful day. She claimed that her husband punched Harmony repeatedly on the 7th of December, 2019, during a car ride from a methadone clinic to a fast food restaurant, enraged by the child’s bathroom accidents. Montgomery alleged that she handed food to the other children in the car without inquiring about Harmony’s well-being. Much later, the couple discovered Harmony’s lifeless body after their car broke down. Montgomery testified that her husband placed the lifeless body into a duffel bag, which was then moved to various locations, including the trunk of a car, a cooler, a ceiling vent, and even a walk-in freezer at his workplace.

Falsehoods and a Defense Strategy

In Adam Montgomery’s defense, his attorneys contended that Kayla had continued to lie, attempting to protect herself. They asserted that Adam was not responsible for Harmony’s death and that Kayla was, in fact, the last person to see the child alive.

Kayla Montgomery stood by her decision to remain silent, citing fear of her husband as the leading cause. She claimed Adam’s suspicion that she might go to the police prompted continuous physical abuse, which she endured, until she found the strength to escape.

Last year, in an unrelated case, Kayla Montgomery provided critical testimony against Adam Montgomery in his conviction for gun theft charges. Declaring his innocence and facing a sentence of over 30 years in prison, Adam maintained his guiltlessness in his daughter’s tragic demise.