Illinois Man Charged After Missing 14-Year-Old Girl Found Dead In RV Behind Her Home

Authorities in Vandalia, Illinois, have charged a 43-year-old man after a 14-year-old girl who disappeared Friday morning was later found dead on the property where she lived.

The teen, identified by family as Kylie Toberman, was reported missing around 6:30 a.m. When investigators searched the neighborhood later that afternoon, they discovered her body inside an RV located behind the residence.

Illinois State Police confirmed that Arnold B. Rivera has been arrested and is facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault, and concealing a homicidal death. He is being held without bond at the Fayette County Jail and is expected to be arraigned Monday morning.

Kylie’s biological mother, Megan Zeller, shared the devastating news on social media, expressing frustration over not being allowed to see her daughter or her other children due to prior custody arrangements. Zeller described Kylie as loving, bright, and full of potential, vowing to seek justice for her daughter.

Officials have released few details regarding the circumstances of the teen’s death, citing the active investigation.

A suspect with a lengthy criminal history

Court documents reveal that Rivera’s criminal past spans more than two decades.

• In 2000, he was charged with burglary and criminal sexual abuse involving a minor between the ages of 9 and 16. Those charges were later dropped in a plea agreement on an unrelated aggravated battery case, for which he received 30 months of probation.

• In 2008, he pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen vehicle and was again sentenced to probation.

Authorities have not commented on Rivera’s connection to the family or whether there were any prior concerns about his presence near the home.

Community and school response

The Vandalia Community Unit School District #203, where Kylie was a student, released a statement acknowledging the loss and announcing that grief counseling teams would be available for students and staff. The district emphasized that it would not release further information out of respect for the family and law enforcement.

The local wrestling community also honored the teen, noting she was an active member who had built strong connections with teammates and coaches.

“Our team and community are grieving the loss of such a sweet and bright young girl,” the Vandal Wrestling Takedown Club shared in a statement.

The investigation into Kylie Toberman’s death remains ongoing, and authorities say additional information will be released as the case progresses.

This report was compiled using information gathered from law enforcement statements, official press releases, and publicly available news sources.

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