'Justice for Makayla Settles': California dad charged with incest, but not rape, after daughter's suicide
Man accused of assaulting daughter before her suicide appears in court
Stephen Vincent Chavez was charged with felony incest, but no rape charges were filed.
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VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. – The prosecution of a Ventura County man for the alleged sexual assault of his daughter continued Tuesday amidst intense public scrutiny and a grieving family’s demand for justice.
What we know:
Stephen Vincent Chavez is charged with felony incest, taking advantage of a position of trust, and providing alcohol to a minor, according to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
No rape charges were filed.
The backstory:
Makayla Renee Settles had just turned 18 when she left Raleigh, North Carolina and moved to Moorpark in July 2025 to live with her biological father, Stephen Vincent Chavez.
Her family said she was looking for a fresh start and planned to attend Moorpark College and build a new life.
But just two days later, Settles was hospitalized for an alleged sexual assault. According to her family, a rape kit confirmed the presence of Chavez’s DNA.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: California dad charged with incest after allegedly assaulting daughter; DA may drop case
Chavez was arrested and pleaded not guilty. He was released on $250,000 bail.
Five months later, Settles died by suicide, according to her family.
Stephen Vincent Chavez and Makayla Renee Settles / FOX 11
What we don't know:
The primary legal hurdle remains whether the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office will proceed to a full jury trial.
While the DA maintains they are "continuing to prosecute," the family reports being told the lack of a living witness to testify makes the case's future uncertain.
Makayla Renee Settles / FOX 11
What they're saying:
Settles' mother, Carolina Sandoval, expressed deep frustration following the hearing.
"Based on the charges, the most that he can get is three years [in prison] and 20 years as a registered sex offender," Sandoval said. "It just feels like, you know, my daughter's life is only worth three years."
She questioned the lack of harsher charges, stating, "He got her drunk... she was intoxicated. She was taken advantage of physically and mentally. So if that's not rape, I really don't what is."
Sandoval remembered her daughter as a "sweet girl" and a "little entrepreneur" who dreamed of becoming an architect.
What's next:
Chavez is out on bail and is due back in court on May 19 for a preliminary hearing.
The Source: This report is based on official statements from the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and direct interviews with the family of Makayla Rene Settles conducted by FOX 11's Gina Silva. Information regarding court dates and bail status was verified through Ventura County judicial records and the prosecution's public filings.