Father Charged in Daughter's Assault, Case in Limbo After Suicide

0:00It's April 21st. You're listening to California News today, AI-powered local news. I'm Corey with the story. A Ventura County father faces charges for allegedly sexually assaulting his 18-year-old daughter right after she moved in with him. Makayla Renee Settles came from North Carolina to Moore Park in July 2025 for a fresh start at college, but two days later ended up in the hospital. A rape kid found her dad's DNA leading to Stephen Vincent Chavez' arrest on felony incest, abusing a position of trust and giving booze to a minor. He pleaded not guilty and got out on $250,000 bail. Five months after that, tragically, Makayla died by suicide, leaving her family heartbroken and the case in limbo. Her mom, Carolina Sandevol, is furious, saying it feels like she handed her daughter to the devil. She got a text from Makayla that night swearing off liquor after blacking out. But now without her testimony, the district attorney seems hesitant.

1:00The big question is if there's enough evidence like the DNA and that text to go to a full jury trial. Today's pre-trial hearing sets the next steps, and the family plans to keep showing up at court, fighting to make sure justice doesn't slip away.