Missing 13-Year-Old Vandalia, Illinois Girl Kylie Toberman Found Dead; Step-Uncle Arnold Rivera Arrested for Sexual Assault and Murder

13-year-old Kylie Toberman of Vandalia, Illinois has been found dead only hours after she was reported missing on Friday morning. Authorities have arrested her step-uncle, 43-year-old Arnold B. Rivera, who now faces charges of aggravated criminal sexual assault, first-degree murder, and concealing a homicidal death.

Kylie was reported missing around 6:30 a.m., and her body was discovered later that afternoon behind her home inside an RV, according to local reports. Rivera was quickly identified as a person of interest, with emergency agencies circulating alerts urging the public not to approach him if spotted. He was taken into custody on November 14.

Sources reveal that Rivera has a prior criminal history involving sex crimes against minors. Despite this, Kylie and her two younger sisters were staying with him temporarily. Their mother was reportedly incarcerated, while their father had died from a drug overdose. The girls had been taken in by the grandmother of one of the sisters, but due to the grandmother undergoing surgery and needing a long recovery, she left the girls in Rivera’s care — a decision now drawing serious scrutiny and outrage.

Missing 13-Year-Old Vandalia, Illinois Girl Kylie Toberman Found Dead; Step-Uncle Arnold Rivera Arrested for Sexual Assault and Murder

Reports indicate that Rivera confessed to sexually assaulting and killing Kylie. Autopsy results are pending to determine the official cause of death.

Before her body was found, authorities released her description: 5'8", approximately 125 pounds, last seen wearing a red sweatshirt and black leggings on Thursday night around 9 p.m.

Kylie’s mother, Megan Zeller, shared her grief on Facebook, writing, “This is my beautiful daughter Kylie. Kylie went missing last night. She was found today and is no longer with us. #JusticeForKylie.”

Missing 13-Year-Old Vandalia, Illinois Girl Kylie Toberman Found Dead; Step-Uncle Arnold Rivera Arrested for Sexual Assault and Murder

Questions remain about how a man with a known history of sexual offenses against young girls was allowed to have access to minors again, let alone care for them unsupervised. The Illinois State Police are now leading an active investigation.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Vandalia Police Department at 618-283-0556 or call 911.