Press Release: New Hampshire Family Court System Faces Scrutiny Amid Tragic Child Deaths
Concord, NH – In a haunting display of systemic failures, New Hampshire’s family court and child protective services are drawing public ire following two substantial restitution settlements of $2.25 million each related to child fatalities. The cases of Harmony Montgomery, Elijah Lewis, Danielle Vaughan’s grandson, and others highlight a concerning trend within the institutions meant to protect vulnerable children.
Over just four days, attention surged as multiple stories of preventable abuse surfaced, linking back to a network of agencies funded by state taxpayer dollars. Central to these tragedies is the New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), whose actions, or lack thereof, continue to come under fire.
One stark example is the case of Harmony Montgomery. In 2019, DCYF investigator Demetrios Tsaros received reports of abuse but failed to act adequately, allowing Harmony to be murdered shortly afterward. Shockingly, Tsaros had a troubling history including prior employment issues and a personal connection to the child’s father, raising questions about his qualifications and decisions.
Yet, despite these glaring failures, neither agency accountability nor meaningful reform has been initiated. While the state has issued settlements to grieving families, with no admission of wrongdoing, the system remains largely unchanged and impervious to scrutiny.
The connection between these cases reveals a judicial and bureaucratic framework more focused on profit than the welfare of children. The current administrative family court setup breeds negligence, where cases often operate without proper oversight or evidentiary standards.
Advocates are calling for urgent reforms, including the passage of House Bill 652-FN, aimed at abolishing the administrative family court model and fostering a new, transparent mediation system. The upcoming rally for justice on June 7 aims to raise awareness about these critical issues and seek a reformative path forward – one that prioritizes child safety over monetary incentives.
The question looms: will New Hampshire finally confront this issue, or will it continue to turn a blind eye while children suffer?
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