How Could You? Hall of Shame-Kylie Toberman case-Child Death UPDATED

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Vandalia, Illinois, an adopted girl, Kylie Toberman, 14, was killed last week.

“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[What is with the tote bags? 😱] 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.[What the 🤬!]

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.”
Girl, 14, Was Sexually Assaulted in Car, Then Killed with Jumper Cables, Prosecutors Say — and Suspect Has Long Criminal History
[People 11/18/25 by Nicole Acosta]

“Illinois State Police have arrested the adoptive mother of a 14-year-old Vandalia girl who was murdered last week.  65-year-old Donna Toberman was charged with four counts of unlawful possession of a firearm without a requisite firearm identification card.“[Good Lord! What is wrong with people!]

“Multiple firearms were reportedly located inside the home. She was taken to the Fayette County Jail.”

Adopted Mother of Vandalia Girl Murdered Last Week Is Charged with Weapons Violation
[Southern Illinois Now 11/23/25 by Bruce Kopp]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update: A look into the Illinois Court case records shows that Arnold Rivera on 2/10/26 was found to be mentally competent to proceed with a trial. The jury trial is set for April 2026 . He remains in Fayette County jail.