It was a quiet Thursday morning in Vandalia, Illinois when the life of 13-year-old Kylie Toberman came to a tragic end — and the shockwaves are still reverberating through the town. Authorities say Kylie was reported missing around 6:30 a.m. that day. Not long after, the search took a grim turn and her body was discovered later that afternoon.
Local law-enforcement moved quickly: in connection with Kylie’s disappearance and death, they arrested her step-uncle, Arnold Rivera, who had been living in the home and caring for Kylie and her two younger sisters. He is formally charged with first-degree murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault and concealing a homicidal death.
According to official updates, when Kylie’s body was found, investigators determined the case would be handled by the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 8, following a request from the Vandalia Police Department on November 14, 2025. The local coroner confirmed that Kylie was pronounced dead at approximately 2:20 p.m. that day.
Digging deeper, reports indicate that the body was recovered behind her residence and within an RV. The exact location remains under wraps as the investigation is still in its early stages. Investigators say they are still establishing a full timeline and motive, and they’ve urged the public not to engage in speculation.
Rivera, 43, who allegedly took over caregiving duties while the children’s grandmother recovered from surgery, had a prior history involving offenses against minors. That fact has weighed heavily on the community, as people struggle with how someone with that background came to be entrusted with three young girls.
Friends and relatives say Kylie’s mother was incarcerated at the time and her father had died of a drug overdose, leaving the grandmother of one of the girls to oversee all three children. With the grandmother sidelined by health issues, Rivera stepped in — and authorities say that arrangement has now ended in the worst way.
Autopsy results are expected in the coming days, and law-enforcement confirmed that they are evaluating whether additional charges or further arrests may follow. At present, no bond or court date has been announced for Rivera, and authorities emphasize that the investigation remains active.
This is a devastating loss for a young life cut short and a small community reeling from betrayal and grief. As the case unfolds, the town of Vandalia is holding its breath, waiting for justice for Kylie — and hoping for answers to the painful questions that remain.
