Woman Held in Case of Missing Mom

A Port Hueneme woman has been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and homicide in the mysterious disappearance of a Ventura mother of two from a store parking lot two weeks ago.

Although Ventura police have not found a body, Saturday they arrested Diana J. Haun, 35, a co-worker of the missing woman’s husband, authorities said.

Police said they expect to make additional arrests but would not specify who else was being investigated.

Sherri Renee Dally, 35, disappeared May 6 from the parking lot at the Target store at 4200 E. Main St. in Ventura.

Dally was seen last by witnesses who said that a blue-green car pulled up behind her van and blocked her exit. Dally got out of her car and into the blue-green car, which was driven by a woman with short blond hair, police said.

Police found Dally’s 15-passenger van between McDonald’s and Target where Dally, who runs a day-care center in her home, had parked it. She had just dropped off her two sons at school and was to go home to wait for her day-care children to arrive, according to friends.

Dally’s keys and a just-purchased Mother’s Day present were still in the unlocked van.

Haun was arrested after an interview with police. She had been under surveillance and had been served with a search warrant at her home earlier in the day, police said.

Michael Dally would not comment Monday on his wife’s disappearance.

All the curtains in the Dally home on Channel Drive were drawn tightly, and the large van Sherri Dally was driving the day she disappeared sat in the driveway.

In the backyard, a dozen Big Wheels and tricycles--used by children at Dally’s day-care business--were lined up against a fence.

Michael Dally’s relatives, who live down the street, also declined to comment.

Dally was a night manager at the Vons Supermarket on Rose Avenue in Oxnard and Haun stocked shelves at the store, co-workers said.

Dally’s husband has not returned to work since her disappearance, co-workers said.

Police would not comment on any other suspects in the case.

“We’re trying to be careful with what we say,” Lt. Carl Handy said. “We want people to know what we’re doing, naturally, but this is still an ongoing investigation. We still have detectives in the field asking a lot of questions.”

Police are asking anyone with information to call either Sgt. Gary McCaskill at 339-4482, or Sgt. George Morris at 339-4474.