Bail revoked for Harmony Montgomery's stepmother
MANCHESTER, N.H. — The stepmother of a New Hampshire girl who vanished in 2019 at age 5 will remain jailed following her arrest Friday after she failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing.
A judge on Tuesday granted the state's motion to revoke bail for Kayla Montgomery, 32, who was arrested Friday at a home in Manchester. An arrest warrant was issued for her Thursday after she did not show up at a hearing on charges against her, including that she lied to state health officials about having Harmony Montgomery in her care.
Kayla Montgomery had pleaded not guilty and was out on bail. Her attorney did not object to the revocation of bail with the understanding that they may come back in the future with a request to modify bail.
Investigators said last month that they believe Harmony was killed in Manchester in December 2019. Her case has prompted widespread outpouring of support, including vigils and social media sites.
Her father, Adam Montgomery, 31, was indicted in March on an assault charge alleging that he struck Harmony in the face in July 2019. He pleaded not guilty.
Senior assistant Attorney General Jesse O'Neill said after the Tuesday hearing that Kayla Montgomery had been using drugs and failed to receive treatment at a substance abuse facility, both violations of her previous bail agreement.
When arrested, Kayla Montgomery was allegedly under the influence of drugs.
"I think the concern is a human concern that's separate from any case. She's clearly suffering from a serious substance abuse issue," O'Neill said. "In any situation when someone's going through that, the state wants to see that person be able to take steps toward recovery."
O'Neill was asked if Kayla Montgomery remains a "central figure" in Harmony's murder.
"I don't think we've ever defined who the central figures are. But as Harmony's stepmother at the time of Harmony's murder, she's a person that is part of the investigation," O'Neill said.