New footage is surfacing of a massive wave of supporters taking over the Ventura County Courthouse, all demanding "Justice for Makayla."
The videos show crowds hauling signs and shouting down the system after news broke that Stephen Vincent Chavez, the father of 18-year-old Makayla Settles, is facing felony incest.
Makayla tragically took her own life in December 2025, just five months after the alleged assault occurred at her father's Moorpark home.
The community is now terrified that the Ventura County District Attorney is setting the stage for a "slap on the wrist."
Makayla’s mother even expressed her heartbreak outside the court, noting that the current charges carry a maximum sentence of only three years.
The "Uncertain" Trial Despite reports of positive DNA evidence from a rape kit performed immediately after the incident, the family says they were dealt a devastating blow by prosecutors.
These protesters are making one thing clear: they aren't going anywhere.
They are demanding that the court treat this as a life-shattering crime, regardless of the legal hurdles.
Chavez, who is currently out on $250,000 bail, is due back in court on May 19, 2026, for a preliminary hearing.
Transparency notes
Published: Apr 24, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.