Milhomme Realty Group, LLC | From the Broker's Desk

By Brenda Milhome A Tragedy That Should Never Have Happened The death of 14-year-old Kylie Toberman in Vandalia, Illinois, has devastated an entire community. According to multiple news outlets, Kylie was reported missing early Friday morning and later found deceased. A 43-year-old man with a long criminal history, identified as her step-uncle, has been arrested on charges of first-degree murder, criminal sexual assault, and concealing a homicide (KMOV, 2025). This tragedy is heartbreaking on its face—but even more tragic when we recognize that this was not an unpredictable event. It was a system failure , decades in the making. The Warning Signs Were Always There Public records reported by news outlets show that the suspect’s criminal history dates back to 2000 , including dismissed charges of criminal sexual abuse involving a minor between the ages of 9 and 16 (Fox News, 2025). These charges were dropped in exchange for a plea to aggravated battery. For that plea? He rece...

When I look at Lincoln — my sweet boy with those soft, trusting eyes — I’m reminded of the purest kind of love. He doesn’t worry about safety, loyalty, or whether he’ll be cared for tomorrow. He knows he is protected. And that’s what every animal should feel. But for so many pets, that isn’t the reality. And what most people don’t realize is this: **Animal abuse is rarely an isolated act. It’s a warning sign of deeper violence happening inside the home.** This connection is so strong and so consistent that psychologists, child-protective workers, animal-control officers, and domestic-violence advocates refer to it simply as The Link. What “The Link” Actually Means Decades of research show a powerful pattern: 57% of families investigated for child maltreatment also had a harmed animal. 48–71% of domestic-violence survivors say their abuser threatened or hurt their pets. Children who harm animals often come from homes where they themselves are ab...