Tragic Discovery of Missing Teen in Vandalia
A 14-year-old girl was found deceased in an RV located behind her home, with her family—reportedly known for violent crimes—accused of her murder and sexual assault. The girl’s relatives referred to her as their “angel.”
Illinois State Police reported that Kylie Toberman was declared missing at around 6:30 a.m. on a Friday and was discovered later that day. Her mother, Megan Zeller, shared that Kylie’s body was located in an RV at their Vandalia residence, where she lived with her foster mother and two sisters. Zeller mentioned that Kylie’s uncle-in-law, Arnold B. Rivera, 43, resided in the RV behind their home, which is situated about 110 miles east of St. Louis.
In a statement, authorities noted, “After an extensive investigation, Rivera was identified as the suspect, and Vandalia Police located him within hours and took him into custody.”
Rivera has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated sexual assault, and concealment of a homicide. According to charging documents, Rivera is accused of sexually assaulting Kylie and strangling her with a jumper cable. He allegedly attempted to hide her body in a tote bag.
Currently, Rivera is being held without bail at Fayette County Jail.
KSDK reported that during an interview, Zeller expressed her determination for justice, stating, “I will not be silent or stop until justice is served for my child!”
Reports about Rivera’s relationship with Kylie vary. While Zeller referred to him as Kylie’s uncle-in-law, Rivera characterized himself as her “caretaker” without mentioning any familial ties. Additionally, Kylie’s paternal grandmother revealed that she had been adopted by the Toberman family over five years ago, indicating Rivera’s role as her legally designated foster brother.
There’s also a lingering question regarding the decision to adopt Kylie, especially considering her proximity to someone with a violent past. Rivera’s criminal record reportedly dates back to 2000, including child sexual abuse accusations. Court records show that he pleaded guilty to an aggravated felony in exchange for the dropping of charges related to sexual abuse and robbery.
In a Facebook post, Zeller reflected on her trust in Rivera, saying, “I was young and stupid… I thought I could trust someone, but now my baby is an angel. I will not shut up or stop until my child gets justice!”
Kylie was a student at Vandalia Middle School, and her school community expressed their sorrow over the incident, stating they would offer support to students in the wake of this tragedy. She was also a member of the Vandal Wrestling Takedown Club and had recently been named the Most Improved Wrestler.
