South Carolina Mom Shares Haunting Texts to ‘Devil’ Dad After Daughter Takes Her Own Life Following Abuse

A father from Southern California who pleaded guilty to felony incest charges received a sentence of only three years, after his 18-year-old daughter took her own life following an incident of s----- abuse. In the disturbing case, the father pleaded guilty in court to providing his biological daughter with alcohol before s------- assaulting her.

According to the New York Post, text messages between the mother of the teen and the accused have now surfaced. The mother of the victim, Carolina Sandoval, shared texts between herself and Chavez following the death of their daughter.

She said, “My daughter is dead, and you still just think about yourself. I’ll never forgive myself for handing her to the Devil.” Chavez replied, “My daughter is dead too. You didn’t help. You guys gave her the rope.”

Sandoval replied, “I gave her the rope when I gave her to you.”

Sandoval also told Chavez, “You do what you need to, I’m not going anywhere. I have more experience from her phone I’m turning into detectives, and I have a meeting with the district attorney,” according to texts shared with the New York Post.

Stephan Vincent Chavez, 41, admitted in court to the felony charges of s------- assaulting his biological daughter and one misdemeanor count of providing alcohol to a minor. The victim has been identified as Makayla Renee Settles, an 18-year-old, who ended her life in December 2025, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors said that Chavez also admitted to abusing a position of trust and targeting a vulnerable victim, according to reports from the Sun. However, the case sparked outrage after Chavez received a sentence of only three years in state prison, according to reports from KTLA.

According to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, the investigation unfolded in July 2025, when Chavez’s 18-year-old daughter took her own life while staying with him at his Moorpark residence.

“After a day of drinking at a family gathering, Chavez purchased additional alcohol for himself and his daughter to drink at home,” officials with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office said. “Chavez then engaged in s----- intercourse with her.” Settles later died by suicide, according to the district attorney’s office.

Prosecutors said the teenager had moved from North Carolina to attend college in the hope of beginning a new chapter in her life. The teenager was admitted to the hospital after the assault, and a r--- kit confirmed Chavez’s DNA.

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

The district attorney’s office said it has spent months examining whether additional charges, including r---, can be legally pursued.