# Evil incestuous dad who preyed on his own daughter, 18, before she took her life walks free from prison after serving paltry sentence

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/evil-incestuous-dad-who-preyed-on-his-own-daughter-18-before-she-took-her-life-walks-free-from-prison-after-serving-paltry-sentence/
- Published: 2026-11-15T14:49:03+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-15T15:03:32+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16293297/incestuous-dad-daughter-free-prison-sentence.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Stephen Chavez was released after serving about six months.
- His one-year sentence was reduced through custody credits.
- Makayla’s mother says she wants change for other victims.

## Summary

Stephen Chavez, a 41-year-old California man convicted of incest with his 18-year-old daughter, Makayla Settles, and providing alcohol to a minor, was released from jail on 9 November after serving about six months. His early release has renewed the family’s distress and raised questions about how sentence reductions work in the case.

Chavez pleaded guilty under a deal and received a one-year sentence; California law allowed eligible defendants to reduce time in custody by up to half through credits. He must complete three years of felony probation, follow restrictions including no contact with the family, and register as a sex offender for 20 years. Makayla’s mother, Carolina Sandoval, says she hopes to seek stronger accountability for sexual abuse.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.