An Illinois teenager was discovered dead in an RV behind her home just hours after she was reported missing on Friday — and now a suspect with a troubling criminal past has been charged with killing the promising young wrestler.
Police say 43-year-old Arnold B. Rivera is accused of killing 14-year-old Kylie Toberman, who was reported missing in Vandalia around 6:30 a.m. Friday. Her body was discovered later that afternoon, according to KDSK.
Kylie’s mother, Megan Zeller, later confirmed the heartbreaking news of her daughter’s death in a Facebook post.
14-year-old Kylie Toberman was found dead just hours after she was first reported missing. Facebook
Zeller wrote that Kylie’s legal guardian had refused to let her see the teen or her two other daughters — and she sharply criticized the Department of Children and Family Services.
“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!” Zeller wrote on Facebook.
Authorities have charged 43-year-old Arnold Rivera with Kylie’s murder. Facebook
"My baby was sooo BEAUTIFUL, intelligent && caring," the heartbroken mother wrote in a separate post.
It remains unclear whether the girls were formally adopted or simply placed in the custody of relatives.
Zeller also shared bits of information about Kylie’s living situation and family background. She noted that a man with Rivera’s last name is her daughter’s uncle, though it’s unclear whether he is related to the suspect.
Kylie Toberman’s body was discovered in an RV behind her home just hours after she was reported missing. Facebook
Rivera was previously charged in 2000 with burglary and criminal sexual abuse of a child between the ages of 9 and 16. Both charges were later dropped after he pleaded guilty to a separate case involving aggravated battery in a public place, KSDK reported.
He served 30 months as part of the deal, but returned to court in 2008 and pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen vehicle. For that, he was sentenced to just 24 months of probation, according to the report.
He now faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault, and concealing a homicidal death.
Rivera is set to be arraigned Monday morning at the Fayette County Courthouse. He is currently being held without bond at the Fayette County Jail.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that we lost one of our wrestlers, Kylie Toberman, yesterday,” the Vandal Wrestling Takedown Club wrote on Facebook.
“Our team and community are grieving the loss of such a sweet and bright young girl.”
