CHULA VISTA, Calif. - A 21-year-old man accused of fatally stabbing his girlfriend after an argument at a Chula Vista home pleaded not guilty Wednesday to murder and other charges.

Michael Rodriguez Chavez was ordered held on $2 million bail.

He was arrested in the 1100 block of Morgan Hill Drive Saturday night in the death of 21-year-old Yesenia Lynn, according to Chula Vista police Lt. Roxana Kennedy.

Police got a report of a disturbance at 1130 Morgan Hill Drive about 7:15 p.m. Saturday. Police made contact with Chavez, who was inside, and he was arrested when he emerged holding the couple's 3-year-old daughter.

Police then entered the home and found Lynn fatally stabbed, Kennedy said.

The toddler, who was uninjured, was taken into protective custody and later released to relatives.

Police did not disclose a motive for the slaying but said the couple had been arguing before Chavez stabbed Lynn about a dozen times.

Chavez was on probation for assault with a deadly weapon at the time, according to police.

Beside murder, Chavez was charged with felony child abuse and felony domestic violence stemming from an incident in November 2011, Deputy District Attorney Enrique Camarena said.

The defendant faces 28 years to life in prison if convicted. He will be back in court Jan. 16 for a readiness conference and Feb. 4 for a preliminary hearing.