MAKAYLA’S FATHER NO-SHOWS AS SUPPORTERS STORM THE COURTHOUSE

Did you know the "March for Makayla" hit the Ventura County Courthouse today, only for the father at the center of it all to never show up?

Stephen Vincent Chavez was scheduled to face a judge this morning for an early disposition conference regarding felony incest charges, but he was reportedly nowhere to be found in the courtroom.

Because phones were strictly banned inside the hearing, updates on the proceedings were delayed. The entire case has now been pushed back once again, with the next court date set for May 19, 2026.

Hundreds of supporters arrived in full force, lining the sidewalks with signs and chanting for justice for Makayla Rene Settles. Makayla tragically took her own life in December 2025, just five months after she reported that her father sexually assaulted her.

The crowd left the government center frustrated, especially as the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has reportedly expressed internal concerns about the difficulty of winning the case without Makayla’s direct testimony.

Despite the lack of a primary witness, the Sexual Assault Unit has stated they will continue to prosecute based on existing evidence, which the family claims includes a positive DNA match from a forensic exam performed the night of the incident.

Chavez, a 41-year-old Moorpark electrician, remains out of custody after posting a $250,000 bond last year. Supporters are vowing to return in even larger numbers for the May hearing to ensure the case does not quietly disappear.