Disgraced father pleads guilty to incest after teen daughter’s suicide

Settles, 18, was staying with her biological father, Chavez, at his home in Moorpark, California, in July 2025. According to Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko, “After a day of drinking at a family gathering, Chavez purchased additional alcohol for him and his daughter to drink at home.”

“Chavez then had sexual intercourse with her.”

Settles died by suicide several months later, in December 2025. Her family said the teen moved to the Los Angeles suburb of Moorpark in July, eager for a “fresh start” with her father. She was also looking forward to going to college.

“Makayla placed her trust and well-being in the defendant’s care and moved from North Carolina to California to start a new life with him,” said Deputy District Attorney Tessa McCarty. “The defendant has violated this trust and shattered the father-daughter relationship in an unimaginable way, conduct for which imprisonment is the only appropriate punishment.”

Because Settles was 18 at the time of the attack and no longer a minor, Chavez faced limited charges. But social media users still expressed outrage at what they called a light sentence.

“This monster only gets three years for raping his own daughter and driving her to commit suicide?” one shocked person shared on

Another person agreed: “Three years, this is so sad and unbelievable. Truly beyond sad. What a tragic waste,” while one person exclaimed: “What a disgusting pig! There’s a special place in hl for him.”

A fourth person said: “He won’t last three years unless he goes into protective custody; prison justice is sometimes the only justice.”

Settles’ mother said her daughter moved in with Chavez, 41, with the promise of a car and a college savings fund.

“She had so much faith that everything there was going to be just a dream,” Carolina Sandoval said. “Life in California, like you see on TV.”

Instead, the mother said Settles had to flee the house of horrors just two days later with blood on her legs. She was said to be carrying her cat, passport, ID and a handful of graduation money, and could barely walk.

Her uncle carried her to Simi Valley Hospital, where a rape kit would confirm the incest, Sandoval said. The teen returned to her mother in Raleigh, where she struggled with depression and mental health issues before killing herself in December.

“All of that was taken away from her,” Sandoval said of her little girl’s big plans. “He killed my daughter that night.”