A Heartbreaking Confession
A father-of-four has been charged with murder after allegedly confessing to killing his 14-year-old step-niece in a devastating phone call with the mother of his children. The tragic case unfolded in Vandalia, Illinois, where Kylie Toberman was discovered dead on November 14.
Kylie's body was found inside a recreational vehicle parked behind her home, where she had been staying with her legal guardian. The teenager had been sexually assaulted and strangled with jumper cables before her body was concealed in a storage container.
The Disturbing Phone Call
Arnold Barry Rivera, aged 43, reportedly called his former partner Paige Stone around 2pm on November 14 and made the shocking admission. According to Stone, Rivera told her he had "lost it" and killed Kylie.
"When I answered he said 'hey you need to go get the kids' I said why? He said 'I killed Kylie' I dropped to the floor and said 'you said what?'" Stone recounted to the Daily Mail.
In a recorded conversation obtained by the publication, Stone is heard sobbing while questioning Rivera about his actions. When she asked what he meant by having "lost it," he simply repeated the phrase. Stone responded through tears, "I told you not to do anything stupid, my kids need you, BJ."
Rivera indicated he expected to go to prison and suggested his family would be "better off collecting my social security," which Stone interpreted as him planning to take his own life.
Systemic Failures and Previous Allegations
Stone claimed she had reported concerns about Rivera abusing Kylie since January, contacting the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) multiple times. She raised alarms about both the living conditions and specific concerns that Kylie was being abused.
According to Stone, DCFS stated they couldn't intervene unless Kylie herself came forward. She also alleged that Rivera's mother, Donna Toberman, who was Kylie's legal guardian, refused to believe the allegations against her son.
Rivera had a previous history of sexual allegations, having been charged with sexual abuse of a minor in 2000, though the case was dismissed five months later. Stone revealed she too had been a victim, claiming Rivera groomed her when he was her babysitter.
"I've told the police and made reports about him and what he's done to me and told the courts plenty of times and no one believed me," Stone said. "The DCFS and the state of Illinois has failed me and my kids. It's messed up it took Kylie to die for this sick man to be put away."
The Investigation and Aftermath
Kylie was last seen alive at approximately 9pm on November 13. Ironically, Rivera himself reported her missing around 6:30am the following day, despite allegedly knowing she was already dead.
Police arrived to search the property just before 2pm on November 14, which was when Rivera made his confession call to Stone and fled. Detectives forced open the locked RV door in front of two of Rivera's children, discovering Kylie's body inside a blue tote bag at approximately 2:20pm.
Rivera was arrested about 4pm that same day and later confessed to police that he raped Kylie in his car, strangled her with jumper cables, and hid her body in the RV.
He now faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated sexual assault, and concealing a homicide. Rivera appeared in Fayette County Court on Monday, where the horrific details of the killing were revealed, along with his alleged confession to detectives. He has yet to enter a plea.
Kylie's mother, Megan Zeller, who didn't have custody of the teenager or her two younger sisters, tragically announced online that her daughter was "no longer with us." She wrote, "I was young and dumb... I thought I could trust somebody and now my baby is an Angel. I will not shut up or stop until my child gets justice!"
Kylie was remembered as a bright student and athlete who excelled in school and sports despite her troubled upbringing. The Vandal Wrestling Takedown Club posted on Facebook: "Our team and community are grieving the loss of such a sweet and bright young girl."
Vandalia Junior High School Superintendent Jennifer Garrison confirmed that counselling would be provided to students affected by the tragedy. Rivera remains in county jail while Illinois State Police continue their investigation.
