Photo of Baby Allyson taken in 1998 as a newborn
Allyson Dalton has been missing since the morning of July 27, 1998 when she was just an infant. Her mother, 20-year-old Sylena Jo Dalton, was murdered at their second-floor apartment on 175 South Charles Street, Apartment B-8, Strasburg, Virginia and Allyson was kidnapped at the scene.
Both Sylena and Allyson were last seen alive by a family member at 7:45 AM but when a co-worker arrived at the apartment later that afternoon she came upon Sylena’s body on the couch. She had been stabbed to death and 2 month old Allyson, along with several baby bottles, were nowhere to be found.
Neighbors stated they heard no screams or disturbances.
Authorities believe both the murder and abduction took place between 9:15am – 10:30 am.
In 2001 Sylena’s mother filed a wrongful death suit against her daughter’s former boyfriend, Daniel E. Pompell, seeking $1.5 million in damages. She claims that Pompell killed Sylena and kidnapped Allyson. It is unknown if she was successful in the suit. At the time of the murder Sylena had listed Pompell as the baby’s “probable father” on paperwork filed with the state Division of Child Support Enforcement, according to a warrant filed in Fauquier County. The warrant also stated that he was at Dalton’s apartment “at the approximate time of her death” and “angry about the possibility of additional financial obligations on him if paternity of the child was proven”.
Police did search the Warrenton home of Pompell, then 29, but found no sign of Allyson and no evidence that would point to him.
The murder weapon has never been located and baby Allyson, who would be a teenager today, remains missing.
The photo to the left is a composite sketch showing what Allyson may look at 12 years old.
Classified: Non-Family Abduction
Full Name: Allyson Kathleen Dalton
Missing From: Strasburg, VA
Date of Birth: May 17, 1998
Date of Disappearance: 7/27/98
Age Then: 2 months Age Now: 15
Missing From: Strasburg, VA
Sex: Female Race: White
Hair: Brown Eye: Blue
Height: 1’8″ Weight: 8 lbs
NCMEC Case#: 850707
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to please contact:
Virginia State Police 540-829-7766
And/Or Virginia State Police – Bureau of Criminal Investigations 1-800-572-2260
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 1-800-THE-LOST
52 responses to “The Unsolved Murder of Sylena Jo Dalton And The Kidnapping Of Her 2 Month Old Infant Still Unsolved”
Marah
February 7th, 2014 at 19:57
I find this VERY odd considering that baby bears a striking resemblance to myself… I have the same hair & eye color. Even the same birthday, May 17th. Except in 97 not 98.. I was adopted at a really young age as well and don’t know a whole lot about my birth parents. I live in Pennsylvania which isn’t too far from Virginia. This is really really creepy. Hopefully it’s just an odd coincidence.
letsfindthem
February 19th, 2014 at 13:15
That is very creepy! and very possible esp after hearing about Caroline White’s kidnapping. Have you looked into this further?
escaping92
March 13th, 2014 at 16:45
Marah, can you possibly contact me when you get a chance? Allyson was my little sister and I would greatly appreciate any information. Thanks.
Ashnikole22@gmail.com
Jenifer Parker
March 16th, 2014 at 10:11
First off…..Sylena didnt have any other children. Ally was her one and only. She was like a big sister to me. My best friend. So…..how are you Ally’s sibling???? Jen Paker
Tina
July 21st, 2014 at 12:21
Jen, she may’ve meant that she’s a half-sister or step-sister; a woman born of the same father, Daniel. Just a thought.
Kristi
June 12th, 2014 at 13:10
Sylena is my first cousin and my mom babysat Allyson almost once a week. I would appreciate it if you would contact me so that I can see where this leads or if it is just a coincidence or not. I can be contacted at justlilme87@yahoo.com
jennifer halterman
August 16th, 2014 at 07:43
Have you been in touch with Angie Stover yet? I worked with Angie for five yrs and watched Selena jo grow into a beautiful young woman. Her murder and Allys kidnapping devastated Angie. If there is even the slightest possibility please please get tested and find out. There isa whole county here thats been praying all these years for a reunion and closure. .
Cangel
February 8th, 2016 at 13:29
What’s ur Instagram Facebook etc…
Ashleigh
February 8th, 2014 at 07:27
Marah have you looked into this further?
Jenifer Parker
March 5th, 2014 at 12:31
Marah….I am a very close friend of Sylenas family. I know this is all a little strange but you really need to be in contact with someone sweetie. You can reach out to me. You can trust me. I will help you. Jenifer Parker. 910-649-7308. I am also on facebook.
KB
November 15th, 2020 at 21:57
I watched the video…those stab wounds are very precise…as if killer knew wat he/she was doing….
Why didnt coworker who found her immediately call police first instead of kelley???
Need to verify dna of father.
Did anyone check out the neighbor downstairs?
Who was the family member that last seen her at 7:45a??
Can'tYouSee?
March 13th, 2014 at 08:51
Where are the detectives on this case??? Get this girls IP address, find her location and get DNA. Also when you google Allyson’s name a Brian Ladd shows up on you tube he gets information on missing people through his dreams. He has found many missing people, proven. The sad thing is I think he has had a dream about her because he has recently added her to his website but he wants money. He put a video out there saying nothing with Allyson’s name titling the video just to grab the families attention. What is $99 dollars & 30 days at this point? If she is found it can lead to the mother’s murder & Sylena can rest in peace, the family will have closure. This little girl missing is close to my heart.
PennyLane
April 2nd, 2014 at 18:06
Anyone who wants money in a situation like this or they will withhold crucial information that would salve the case is most likely a scam.
Keeping my fingers crossed for answers for the family.
Carol Hall
March 14th, 2014 at 10:25
I have forwarded all this information to the Virginia State Police detective assigned to this case. Hopefully they can look into this and find some resolve one way or the other.
Jenifer Parker
March 16th, 2014 at 10:05
I have spoken with the detective. They are working on getting in contact.
escaping92
March 16th, 2014 at 19:21
I am the daughter of Danny. Not proud of it, but am doing anything I can to help find this little girl. Sylena was not my mother, and I never stated so.. Anyone and everyone can help in finding Allyson.
Jenifer Parker
March 17th, 2014 at 10:55
I apologize…. I didnt realize Danny had any other children. Sorry.
escaping92
March 17th, 2014 at 15:57
Danny actually is married with a total of 4 daughters including Allyson and Myself. Dannys current wife, Tiffany, who was married to him at the time of this murder and abduction, has alot of family in Pennsylvania. That’s why I am extremely interested and curious about Marah. Sounds like a connection could possibly be made there.
Jenifer Parker
March 17th, 2014 at 22:05
Are you able to email me so we can have a more private convo about this? Thank you
CourtneyNicole
May 1st, 2014 at 01:59
Has there been any development in this?
Mary
May 21st, 2014 at 15:24
Any news?
Jen Parker
June 2nd, 2014 at 21:52
I would like to know as well. I happened to find Marah on Facebook and her pics look identical to Sylenas senior pics!!!!
angela stover
July 5th, 2014 at 11:27
I am sylena’s mother and allyson’s grandmother i would like to speak to marah or see a picture of her. My email is angstover1098@yahoo.com please if anyone has any information please contact me.
Jen Parker
July 5th, 2014 at 21:09
Angie I sent you an email
Angela Stover
July 6th, 2014 at 09:27
Thanks I received the pics. I sent you an email.
Jen Parker
July 6th, 2014 at 09:22
Angie I sent you an email with pics
Chanda
August 1st, 2014 at 15:26
The last post/comment I see on all of this is July 6. I was a friend of Sylenas, we went to school together. Just want an update. Has Marah been contacted. Any new info. Thanks!
Amy
August 2nd, 2014 at 06:39
OMG reading this gives me the chills. Sylena was like a sister to me! We were frinds since we was 4 yrs old. If it wasn’t for her introducing me to my husband I wouldn’t of had my 2 daughters. Please keep me updated on this situation with Marah. Everyone please share this!
brenda johnson
August 2nd, 2014 at 07:16
Need to get in touch with the two ladies on the show COLD JUSTICE maybe they can get some answers. We all would.like to know who killed Selena and took the baby.
Robyn Heishman
August 4th, 2014 at 15:33
I didn’t personally know Selena but I live and still live I’m the same town where this all took place. I use to see Selena all the time when she worked at the Handy Mart in Strasburg. Always said hi to her. She was a nice girl to have had this happen to her and Allyson. The citizens of this town have never and will never forget about this tragedy. I was pregnant when this happened and it was a shock. I can remember the Strasburg police stopping automobiles coming from Foodlion. It has been to long for this family to not have closure. My mother Edith Wallace use to be on the Town Council in Strasburg talked to the State Trooper who is charge of this case. He only told her that they had leads. I went to the “Cold Justice” website to see what we could do to get something started in this case and was told that it had to be a law official who had to ask those ladies for help. (Kelly Siegler and Yolanda McClary.” We want to see justice done for Selena, Allyson, and their family.
lynn powell
September 21st, 2014 at 11:59
Has anyone figured anything out yet because I’m worried and kinda scared. I have always thought that I wasn’t my parents daughter. I never felt like I was meant to be with them. I noticed she looks a lot like me. And I was just looking at my baby pics and some of them look like the baby pic. And if I’m not mistaken I do believe I have that same headband. Or a pic of me wearing the headband. The only thing is I was born 1996 that I was told. But I don’t look my age
Jen Parker
September 21st, 2014 at 12:10
She hasn’t been found. Case is still open. I’m a family friend of Sylenas. Please contact Angela Stover. That is Sylenas mom. Her email is listed in one of the comments above. God Bless
purplepandakitty
January 5th, 2016 at 17:22
Your last name is like Daniel’s, all you have to do is replace the “w” with “mp” and you would have Daniel’s last name.
JenP
January 7th, 2016 at 14:25
Please contact Angela Stover. Sylenas mom. There is an investigator currently working on the case
Tracy
October 26th, 2014 at 10:54
I worked with Sylenas mother and I have questioned this case off and on several times.But do not understand why this teenager now still has not been found. It is like you heard of it one week and then NOTHING. I have asked several other people recently if they ever heard any more about this case.
donna ramirez
January 17th, 2015 at 13:46
If pompel was in the apartment at the time or near the time i think they should reinvestigate you have a murder and a missing baby.Apparently he was worried about child support.I guess he would be he was a married man .THe other children have resemblance to each other and the baby.He has done something with that baby.if i were a cop i would grill him till he could not take it anymore and said what he did with the baby he may well have put her in an orphanage or given her to someone.If that is so that grandmother will never get her daughter back .But will at least know where her granddaughter is.
sam
August 20th, 2019 at 14:34
Pompel was creepy even when I knew him years later. He never mentioned his daughter, he dated my cousin for years, and something just didnt seem right.
Brigett
April 24th, 2015 at 02:39
Has anyone heard anything about this?? It’s very disturbing
tina
June 24th, 2015 at 21:53
danny pompell I know where you work I know what you do I watch all the time be AFRAID very afraid your time is UP!!!
laura
July 14th, 2015 at 18:20
http://ktla.com/2015/07/03/massachusetts-police-seek-help-iding-4-year-old-girl-found-dead-in-trash-bag/
Cangel
February 8th, 2016 at 13:25
Do you think it’s related
Rickard
July 27th, 2015 at 14:51
Any other comments or information will go through me. 5403251281 or robbie.rickard@hotmail.com
Lee
September 29th, 2015 at 21:22
Is there a family connection anywhere on the father’s or his wife’s to Pittsburgh, PA by any chance ? (or any of the deceased mother’s close friends if looking at that angle). perhaps the child is not in the public school system or thinks that she is older or younger than being born in 1998.
Cangel
February 8th, 2016 at 13:31
Will this case ever be solved… Forever a mystery… They seriously got away with murder…
tammy
October 4th, 2016 at 10:32
why is there a facebook page set up that says “justice for daniel Pompell? is he in jail?
izzy josephine
February 15th, 2017 at 17:31
what’s her Facebook ..?
did you got your DNA checked yet
i need update’s is she ok /:
Courtney Looney
February 24th, 2017 at 13:26
Please look at my facebook acoount I am in springfield Missouri . I think this miht be me ….
Courtney Looney
February 24th, 2017 at 15:31
Courtney looney on facebook . 2120 n pickwick ave sprinfield mo 65803
Courtney Looney
February 24th, 2017 at 15:32
phone wont let me csll out of this area .. ive been tryin to get away for a awhile now
Courtney Looney
February 24th, 2017 at 15:35
im scared and I am bein kept here against my will .. no baby pics kept out of school moved hotel room to hotel room. Not aloud to go places and should be dead by now … im scared to even ask for help at this point
Jen P
October 8th, 2017 at 17:09
Dna proved Marah was not Ally. I have no clue about this othere girl Courtney Looney. Her Facebook seems to tell me she is just fine and not being held against her will
Jen P
October 12th, 2017 at 11:59
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155578141731071&id=65421276070 here is the latest news story
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