Southern California man pleads guilty to incest after daughter dies by suicide

A Southern California father admitted in court to sexually abusing his biological daughter after supplying her alcohol during a visit to his home, in a disturbing case that ended with the young woman later taking her own life.

Stephen Vincent Chavez, 41, pleaded guilty Monday to one felony 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, prosecutors said.

The case drew outrage online after authorities revealed Chavez is expected to receive just three years in state prison, KTLA reported.

Chavez moved up his scheduled court appearance in order to enter the plea. Prosecutors said he also acknowledged abusing a position of trust and targeting a particularly vulnerable victim.

Investigators said the crimes took place in July 2025 while 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.

“After a day of drinking at a family gathering, Chavez purchased additional alcohol for him and his daughter to drink at home,” Ventura County DA officials said. “Chavez then engaged in sexual intercourse with her.”

Authorities said Makayla died by suicide several months later, in December 2025.

Ventura County Deputy District Attorney Tessa McCarty said the teen had trusted Chavez to care for and protect her after moving across the country to live with him.

“[Chavez] violated this trust and shattered the father-daughter relationship in an unimaginable way,” McCarty said.

Following Monday’s guilty plea, Chavez was immediately taken into custody. He is scheduled to be formally sentenced on June 23 in Ventura County Superior Court, where prosecutors said he is expected to receive a three-year state prison sentence. He will also be required to register as a sex offender for the next 20 years.

The DA’s Office said prosecutors spent months examining whether additional charges, including rape, could legally be pursued.

“[The] analysis that included multiple interviews, additional forensic testing, medical evaluations and an extensive review of electronic evidence,” the DA’s Office said. “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.”

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.

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