Adam Montgomery told friend he hated daughter Harmony, 5, 'right to his core' before he 'beat her to death in his car'
Andrew Hansen
Published Sep 14, 2026
A FRIEND of Adam Montgomery, the New Hampshire father on trial for killing his 5-year-old daughter Harmony Montgomery, testified that he told her he hated his child to his core, and allegedly hit Harmony because she reminded him of her mother.
On Tuesday, the friend, Rebecca Maines, told the court about Montgomery's chilling admissions and also said that he had a history of beating Harmony.
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Maines said Montgomery told her he “backhanded” Harmoney after he witnessed her put her hand over her younger brother's lips and nose, the Associated Press reported.
Maines also specifically said Montgomery told her he hated Harmony “right to his core.”
She added that Montogomery told her he had been trying to see Harmoney since 2019 after he dropped her off at her mother’s house due to her having bathroom accidents “on purpose.”
“I am a criminal. I don’t have a problem telling you that,” Maines, who testified in a red prison jumpsuit because she's currently serving time for a parole violation, said.
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She also referred to Montgomery as a past best friend.
Montogomery was granted legal custody of Harmony months before she disappeared but claims her mother would not allow him to see her.
Prosecutors believe that Montgomery killed Harmony on December 7, 2019.
Harmony was not reported missing until two years later, and her body has never been found.
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Montogomery faces charges of second-degree murder, second-degree assault, and witness tampering,
On February 7, he pleaded guilty to abuse of a corpse, and falsifying physical evidence in connection with Harmony's death.
‘Killer’ dad Adam Montgomery heard on jail phone saying FBI was ‘wasting time’ searching for missing daughter Harmony, 5His trial began on February 7 and he pleaded not guilty in 2022 claiming he loves his daughter unconditionally.
ALIGNS WITH OTHER TESTIMONIES
Maine’s testimony is important because it aligns with testimony from Harmony’s stepmom, Kayla Montogomery from June 2023.
The stepmom also recently testified against Montgomery on February 9.
Kayla said in her 2023testimony that Montgomery would allegedly hit his daughter on several occasions after she would go to the bathroom in the car they were living in at the time.
The stepmom also said that she witnessed the moment when Montgomery delivered fatal hits to Harmony while in the car.
Kayla said Montgomery struck Harmony in the face and head three to four times with a closed fist on three separate occasions on December 7, 2019.
Following the hits, Kalya recalled how Montgomery said, "I think I really hurt her this time. I think I did something."
After this, Harmony began moaning in pain for five minutes and then stopped making any noises completely, and they did not take her to see medical help.
"At no time did anyone stop or get Harmony medical attention as the result of this assault," police said in the affidavit.
HARMONY MONTGOMERY TIMELINE
February 2019 - Adam Montgomery is granted custody of Harmony after her mother, Crystal Sorey, loses custody because of neglect related to drug use.
Easter 2019 - After getting clean, Sorey said she spoke to Harmony via FaceTime. She said this was the last time she saw her daughter.
October 2019 - After receiving several calls about child abuse, a child protective service worker visits Montgomery's home and reports the children appeared happy and healthy. The assessment concludes that the report of abuse was unfounded, but the family was at high risk for future child welfare concerns.
November 2019 - Montgomery, Harmony, Kayla, and their two other children, are evicted from their home and begin to live in a Chrysler Sebring
December 7, 2019 - Following multiple bathroom accidents, an irate Montgomery repeatedly strikes Harmony in the head and face with a closed fist, causing her death, investigators said.
December 2021 - New Hampshire police report Harmony missing after Sorey tried to contact her daughter multiple times.
Kayla said that she and Montgomery became aware that Harmony was dead and put her body into a duffle bag.
Harmony’s body has not been found but it is believed that her body was moved around to various locations for the next several months.
These locations include an apartment freezer and a walk-in freezer at a restaurant.
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Both Maine and Kayla’s testimony also align with testimony from Montgomery’s uncle.
The uncle said Montgomery told him he “bashed” her around the house after seeing her put his hands on her brother.
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