Girl, 14, Was Sexually Assaulted in Car, Then Killed with Jumper Cables, Prosecutors Say — and Suspect Has Long Criminal History By Nicole Acosta

An Illinois man with a reportedly long criminal history was arrested after authorities alleged he sexually assaulted and killed a teenage girl.

Kylie Toberman, 14, was found dead in a tote bag inside an RV behind her family home in Vandalia, Ill., on Friday, Nov. 14 — eight hours after local police put out a missing persons alert, KDSK reported, citing charging documents read aloud in court.

Prosecutors said that Arnold Rivera — identified by the family as Toberman’s step-uncle who had been living in the RV — is accused of sexually assaulting Toberman in a car before allegedly strangling her with jumper cables. per KDSK and KMVT.

According to a press release shared by Illinois State Police on Monday, Nov. 17, Rivera, 43, was arrested and charged by prosecutors with first-degree murder, criminal sexual assault and concealing a homicidal death. It’s unclear if he has entered a plea or retained an attorney.

“We were just now educated on the manner of her death and the disrespect to her body. And it should have never happened,” Lisa Richards, Kylie’s paternal grandmother, told KDSK.

Fox News and KSDK, citing court records and the recent proceedings, reported that Rivera has a long criminal history dating back to 2000, when he pleaded guilty to felony aggravated battery after prosecutors dismissed child sexual abuse charges against him. He was also convicted of possession of a stolen car in 2008, per Fox News. He was sentenced to probation for both crimes, per the records reviewed by Fox News.

According to KDSK, Rivera will now remain behind bars in pretrial detention at Fayette County Jail after a judge denied his release.

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Loved ones have created a GoFundMe campaign to help Toberman’s family with legal and funeral expenses.

“Kylie was known for her caring heart and the way she made everyone around her feel included,” the fundraiser reads. “She was a loyal friend, a devoted sister, and someone who could brighten any room simply by being in it.”

KDSK reported Toberman was also on the wrestling team at Vandalia Junior High School, which released a statement on social media in the wake of her death.

“Please join us in keeping the student’s family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this tragic and painful time,” the school said. “We will lean on one another as we care for our students and each other.”