VANDALIA, Ill — Life seemed to be on the upswing for Kylie Toberman, a vibrant 14-year-old from a quaint Illinois town.

Residing with her adoptive mother and two sisters, Kylie had recently taken to wrestling at her junior high school. Her teammates recognized her progress by naming her the “most improved wrestler.”

Kylie’s biological mother, Megan Zeller, fondly described her daughter as intelligent and spirited, with a deep affection for animals and her siblings.

On Friday morning, Kylie was reported missing, prompting the Vandalia Police Department to issue an alert. Sadly, just a few hours later, authorities found her deceased in an RV situated behind her family home.

It was an RV where Zeller says 43-year-old Arnold Rivera Jr. lived. Rivera is a relative of Kylie’s. Charging documents said he was a caretaker for the girl. He was taken into custody and on Sunday he was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault and concealing a homicidal death.

Charging documents allege that he sexually assaulted her and strangled her with jumper cables. The charges said he then put her body in a tote to try to hide the crime.

Rivera has a lengthy criminal past, including charges in 2000 for burglary and criminal sexual abuse of a child between the ages of 9 and 16.

He is being held without bond and will be arraigned Monday at the Fayette County Courthouse in Vandalia.

Kylie’s school, Vandalia Jr. High, says crisis and school counselors will be available in the days ahead to provide support.

“She didn’t deserve this,” said Zeller, who added that the past few days have been unimaginably hard. She said the family is focused on supporting Kylie’s sisters and preparing for court appearances.