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Dad who sexually abused daughter before her suicide set to walk free after five months
A father who was convicted of sexually abusing his daughter, who later killed herself, earlier this year, is set to walk free today after just five months in jail.
Stephen Vincent Chavez, 41, was sentenced to one year in jail and three years' probation in June after he pleaded guilty to one count of incest and one misdemeanor count of furnishing alcohol to a minor in connection with the abuse of his 18-year-old biological daughter, Makayla Settles.
Settles had her California dream ripped away from her by her own father
The crimes took place in July 2025, when Makayla was staying with Chavez at his home in Moorpark after relocating from North Carolina in hopes of beginning a new chapter in her life.
According to her family, Makayla Settles moved to Moorpark, California, to start college and live with her biological father, Chavez, last July.
The recent high school graduate, 18, was promised a car and a college savings fund by Chavez, 41, to help her when she started at Moorpark College at the end of the summer.
Tragically, her California dream quickly turned into a nightmare as just two days later she fled her father's home barefoot, barely able to walk, with blood on her legs, clutching her cat, passport, ID, and a handful of graduation cash, her family has claimed.
Settles’ heartbroken mother, Caroline Sandoval, 39, said that the teenager was carried to Simi Valley Hospital by her uncle, where a rape kit reportedly confirmed the appalling incestuous act and violent crime that had been committed against her.
Ventura County DA officials said: “After a day of drinking at a family gathering, Chavez purchased additional alcohol for him and his daughter to drink at home.
“Chavez then engaged in sexual intercourse with her.”
Her father, 41, was arrested and charged with four felonies, including incest, taking advantage of a position of trust, and providing alcohol to a minor.
However, he pleaded not guilty and later posted $250,000 bail.
Upon her return home to Raleigh, North Carolina, Settles struggled with depression and mental health issues and sadly took her own life on December 28, 2025.
Judge Dusty Kawai of Ventura County Superior Court originally sentenced Stephen Vincent Chavez to one year in Ventura County Jail in June and three years' probation, but now an inmate record for Chavez shows his release date is set for Monday, November 9, just five months after he was first put away.
Despite the widespread backlash, Chavez will not be charged again
As you might expect, the case caused major uproar online after it was revealed that Chavez was expected to receive just three years in state prison.
Social media users called the move “extremely infuriating” and “disgusting”.
According to the DA’s Office, prosecutors spent months examining whether additional charges, including rape, could legally be pursued.
However, it said: “[The] analysis that included multiple interviews, additional forensic testing, medical evaluations and an extensive review of electronic evidence.
“After doing so and convening a team of the office’s top sexual assault prosecutors to review the findings, the District Attorney’s Office is confident that this case was properly charged based upon the law, facts and evidence presented.”
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