The reward for information on Harmony Montgomery, who was last seen in 2019 at age 5, surpassed $100,000, with police investigating tips, Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg said.
Detectives are working through approximately 300 tips, Aldenburg said.
"All of them are being investigated," Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg said during an impromptu news conference.
"Somebody out there knows something. Whatever strikes in people's conscience as a human being to step forward and do the right thing, whatever it takes," he said.
The reward fund is now at $104,000, Aldenburg said. Manchester police said the generosity of New Hampshire citizens and businesses donating is overwhelming, according to WMUR-TV.
"They care for another human being," Aldenberg said, WMUR-TV reported. "They care for a little girl who is unaccounted for. It's their way of, 'What can I do?'"
Although Harmony was last seen in 2019, she was not reported missing until late last year. Police launched a missing person investigation for her on December 27, 2021, according to WMUR-TV.
Police had requested the public's help in finding the child, saying "the circumstances surrounding this prolonged absence are very concerning," FOX 35 Orlando reported.
Authorities completed a search of the last known residence of Harmony, a home in Manchester, on Monday in their investigation.
Harmony's father and stepmother have been arrested earlier this month on charges regarding her well-being, according to FOX 35 Orlando. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Her stepmother, Kayla Montgomery, received new charges last week after allegedly acquiring $1,500 in food stamps for Harmony Montgomery from December 2019 to June 2021, despite the fact the girl was not living with her and Adam Montgomery, Harmony's father, the Associated Press reported.
Aldenberg corrected the time when police last saw Harmony. He originally said it was in October 2019 during a service call to the home. He now says that date was September 2019.
Police first became aware Harmony might be missing when they received a call from the girl's mother in November. The mother, who lost custody of Harmony in 2018, had been trying to locate the girl for months, police said.
He said police actually began their missing person investigation on December 27 after hearing from the state's child protective services division that she could not be found.
"I'm going to be honest with you, I'm a little discouraged, but we remain determined on finding Harmony and bringing her home to the people that care for her," he said.
When asked if thought Harmony was still alive, Aldenberg said, "I'm going to. ... until somebody tells me otherwise or shows me something concrete, invaluable, that says that you should not, then this investigation is geared towards as if Harmony is still alive. Wouldn't you want that for you?"
Anyone with information can call the 24-hour tip line at 603-203-6060, he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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