Stephen Vincent Chavez, a 41-year-old father from California, has been sentenced to just one year in prison after pleading guilty to incest with his teenage daughter, Makayla Settles, who later died by suicide. The victim's family has criticized the sentence as too lenient, saying it does not bring justice.
Details of the Crime
According to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office, the incident occurred in July 2025, just two days after Makayla moved into her father's home. Chavez provided alcohol to his daughter during a family gathering and then engaged in sexual intercourse with her. She was 18 at the time of the incident and died by suicide five months later, in December 2025.
Legal Proceedings and Sentence
Chavez pleaded guilty to one count of incest and one count of providing alcohol to a minor. Prosecutors considered additional charges, including rape, but concluded there was insufficient evidence to prove the intercourse was non-consensual, given the lack of testimony. A recorded interview with Makayla, a rape kit, and a police statement existed but could not be used in court for legal reasons.
Deputy District Attorney Tessa McCarty stated: "Chavez exploited his position as a father, violated his daughter’s trust, supplied her with alcohol, and engaged in criminal conduct that forever altered the course of her life. While we respect the court’s decision, we continue to believe a state prison sentence was warranted under the facts of this case."
Judge Dusty Kawai cited Chavez's lack of prior criminal record as a key factor in not imposing the maximum sentence.
Family Response and Fundraiser
Makayla's family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to hire a civil lawyer to pursue further justice. In a statement on the donation page, Makayla's cousin described her as a "bright, loving soul whose life was tragically cut short." The statement added: "The pain and heartbreak that followed were overwhelming, and Makayla ultimately took her own life. This has left us feeling helpless and heartbroken, but we refuse to let her story end without a fight."
