Stephen Vincent Chavez sentenced for incest, supplying alcohol to daughter Makayla Settles who died by suicide

Distressing content warning.

A California father has been sentenced to jail after admitting to incest and supplying alcohol to his teenage daughter, months before her death by suicide.

Stephen Vincent Chavez, 41, was handed a sentence of one year jail and three years probation following the December 2025 death of his biological daughter, Makayla Rene Settles.

The outcome was confirmed by Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko on Tuesday, June 23.

The sentencing comes one month after Chavez pleaded guilty to the charges, and admitted to taking “advantage of a position of trust and that the victim was particularly vulnerable,” according to the district attorney.

“The People requested the maximum three-year state prison sentence because the defendant 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,” Deputy District Attorney Tessa McCarty said in a press statement.

“While we respect the court’s decision, we continue to believe a state prison sentence was warranted under the facts of this case,” her statement continued.”

During the sentencing hearing, members of Ms Settles’ family addressed the court, delivering what prosecutors described as “emotional victim impact statements describing the lasting trauma caused by the defendant’s actions and the devastating loss of Makayla”.

Authorities allege that in July 2025, after attending a family gathering where alcohol was consumed, Chavez purchased more alcohol for himself and his daughter to drink at home. It was there, prosecutors say, that he “engaged in sexual intercourse with her.”

Ms Settles had only just moved in with her father in California during July of 2025. There she hoped to live with Chavez and begin a new chapter, her family told Fox 11.

She died by suicide in December that year.

Following her death, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office conducted an extensive review to determine whether additional charges, including rape, could be laid.

According to the office, District Attorney Nasarenko “directed the office’s most experienced prosecutors to conduct a comprehensive review of whether additional charges, including rape, could legally be filed”.

The process included further interviews, new forensic testing, medical evaluations and analysis of electronic evidence.

“A team of ten prosecutors within the District Attorney’s Office reviewed the evidence and findings,” the office said. “The office also consulted with experienced prosecutors and legal experts from another county. After this extensive review, all concluded that incest was the only felony charge supported by the law, facts, and admissible evidence.”

If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028, or Lifeline on 13 11 14.