The mother of Harmony Montgomery, the New Hampshire girl who's been missing for two years, made her first public appearance Saturday since the search got underway.
Crystal Sorey was at a park in Manchester with family and friends for a candlelight vigil, where they prayers and aimed to remind the public that Harmony is still missing.
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Speaking first to NBC10 Boston, in her first public comments since the mysterious disappearance, Sorey had this message for her 7-year-old girl: "Hi, baby. If you can see me and hear me, I want you to know that I never stopped looking for you and I won't stop fighting until I find you, okay? You stay strong and mommy's right here fighting for you. I love you!"
She has faith that, even though she hasn't seen Harmony in years, she's still alive.
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"I don't feel like she's gone. I just don't feel that in my heart," Sorey said. "Like, I don't feel like I lost her. And a mother knows, a mother knows if your baby's here or not. I know she's here."
Investigators say that no one has seen Harmony in more than two years. Sorey lost legal custody of the girl in 2018 as she struggled with substance abuse issues.
We just want her to know how much she's loved and we just want her to come home.
Crystal Sorey, the mother of Harmony Montgomery, a New Hampshire girl who's been missing for more than two years
The last time Sorey saw Harmony was over Facetime around Easter 2019, she said. After that, Harmony's father Adam Montgomery -- who had legal custody -- blocked all contact. He was living in Manchester at the time.
"I've been begging for any type of answer since 2019," Sorey said.
Sorey, who lives in Massachusetts, said she called New Hampshire schools, drove by homes associated with her Harmony's father, and made multiple calls to the New Hampshire Division of Children, Youth and Families.
"My daughter was failed by everybody," Sorey said.
New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services has declined to comment on the case citing confidentiality issues.
More on the Search for Harmony Montgomery
The vigil was held after police searched a home, on Manchester's Gilford Street, where Harmony was last known to have lived. Officials didn't say what brought them to the home again, after already searching there last weekend.
Harmony hasn't been seen since late 2019, according to Manchester police, who only found out about her disappearance recently and have since begun a major investigation that includes the FBI.
"We just want her to know how much she's loved and we just want her to come home," Sorey said Saturday.
No one has been arrested in connection with her disappearance, but Harmony's father was arrested this week on charges including failing to have Harmony in his custody. His wife, Harmony's stepmother, was arrested days later, accused of welfare fraud for allegedly collecting food stamps for the girl even though she was no longer living with them. Both have pleaded not guilty.
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Police, who are operating under the assumption that Harmony is still alive, have established a dedicated, 24/7 tip line that members of the public can call or text with information about Harmony’s whereabouts. On Saturday, they reiterated their plea to call or text the it at 603-203-6060.
Nearly $100,000 in reward money has been made available for information on where she is.
Sorey begged anyone with information about her daughter's whereabouts to come forward: "If you know anything about my baby, please, I'm begging you to come forward, so she can come home."
