When a small-town police department in Illinois issued a bulletin about a missing teen on November 14, 2025, officers hoped for the best. Sadly, in a matter of hours, the Vandalia Police Department found Kylie Toberman’s body in a tote behind her home. The 14-year-old junior high student loved cheerleading and hanging out with friends. No one expected her life to come to such a fast and devastating end.
Megan Zeller, Kylie’s biological mother, told KSDK her daughter lived with her sisters and her adoptive mother, Donna Toberman, in Vandalia. Police began looking for Kylie on Friday morning and found her body hours later. Zeller said her daughter’s body was in an RV on Toberman’s property. The biological mother claims Toberman’s son, Arnold Rivera Jr., lived in the RV. Kylie considered him an uncle. Zeller alleges that Rivera was caring for Kylie the day she died.
“When I found out I think I was just taken back and distraught, Kylie’s friend, Caitlynn Shellenbarger, told KSDK. “I would’ve never guessed that he could be that type of person and that could happen in the small town of Vandalia.”
According to court documents obtained by the outlet, Rivera allegedly sexually assaulted Kylie inside a car and strangled her with jumper cables. He reportedly put her in the tote to hide her body. A news release from Illinois State Police Troop 8 states that police identified Rivera as the prime suspect and located him hours later.
The Fayette County state’s attorney filed multiple charges against Rivera, including two counts of first-degree murder, one count of concealing a homicide, two counts of criminal sexual assault, and one count of concealing a death.
“I think that Arnold was a disgusting man and that that should have never happened,” Shellenbarger said. “I think that she was failed as a person.”
Court documents revealed a lengthy criminal history for Rivera that included criminal sexual abuse charges against children.
Shellenbarger alleged that Kylie contacted the Department of Children and Family Services but could not get help.
“Kylie had so many DCFS reports about the situation, and they just brushed it off because Kylie wouldn’t speak up,” she told KSDK. “I think that’s a big problem. You advocate for your siblings, cousins, and family, but if they can’t speak up for themselves because they’re too scared, nothing gets done at all.”
Vandalia Junior High School shared a statement about Kylie’s death obtained by KSDK.
“We are deeply saddened to share that a student in our district has passed away far too soon. This is heartbreaking news for our school community. We recognize that this news is incredibly difficult for students, staff, and families. Our crisis response team and school counselors will be available on Monday and in the days ahead to offer support,” the statement reads.
“Please join us in keeping the student’s family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this tragic and painful time,” it adds. “We will lean on one another as we care for our students and each other.”
Zeller shared her frustration on social media.
“Kylie ‘toberman’ Kutz is my daughter. I was young and dumb… I thought I could trust somebody and now my baby is an Angel. I WILL NOT SHUT UP OR STOP till my child gets justice! I will not stop until my other girls Kamilla & Korah are home!!!!” Zeller wrote. “I said this s—YEARS AGO!! DCFS needs to be held accountable as well as BJ and anyone else who knew!!!! She was 14 not 13!! && I’m not in prison!! Donna Toberman would not let me talk or see MY CHILDREN!!!! SHE WOULD HAVE TOLD ME. RIP Kylie Marie.”
This story raises so many questions. Why was a man with a criminal past that includes child sexual abuse left alone with a child? It’s sickening. A child never deserves this kind of violent death. If Rivera did what prosecutors say he did, he deserves to never see the outside of a prison cell again.
