Adoptive Mother of Vandalia Teen Homicide Victim Faces Arrest on Firearm Charges

Share and Follow

VANDALIA, Ill. (WCIA) — On Thursday, the adopted mother of a slain 14-year-old girl from Vandalia was taken into custody on charges related to illegal firearm possession.

The Illinois State Police announced on Friday that Special Agents from the Division of Criminal Investigation apprehended Donna Toberman, aged 65, from Vandalia. She faces four charges for unlawful possession of a firearm without holding a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card.

In related news, her husband was also arrested concerning the discovery of a Springfield woman’s remains.

Donna Toberman was the adoptive mother of Kylie M. Toberman, who tragically lost her life on November 14. According to reports from WCIA’s partner KTVI, Arnold Rivera, 43, was arrested on November 17. He faces charges including first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, concealing a homicidal death, and death concealment, all connected to Kylie’s death.

The incident prompted a thorough investigation, during which State Police, the Vandalia Police Department, and the Child Death Investigation Task Force executed a search warrant at Donna’s residence on November 14. During this search, authorities discovered several firearms, and it was confirmed that Donna did not have a valid FOID card.

The Illinois Department of Children and Families Services provided the following statement to KTVI regarding Kylie’s death:

“DCFS extends our deepest sympathy to Kylie’s family, friends and community and are thankful to law enforcement who apprehended the suspect following this terrible tragedy. At the request of the Fayette County State’s Attorney, DCFS cannot comment on law enforcement’s active criminal investigation but can confirm that after Kylie was adopted in 2018, she was no longer a youth in care of DCFS. To further clarify, Mr. Rivera was not Kylie’s guardian, nor did he live in the same home as her.

DCFS is committed to working collaboratively with law enforcement and the Southern Region Child Death Investigation Task Force as the case proceeds.”