A father who intentionally drove his truck off a California cliff with his twin two-year-old daughters inside has been sentenced to 31 years in prison. Robert Brians, 51, pleaded guilty in August to multiple charges, including attempted murder, child abuse, kidnapping, domestic violence, and burglary in connection to the 2020 incident, according to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
Brians was “in a fit of rage amid a divorce and custody dispute” when he drove his pickup truck off Sunset Cliffs into the Pacific Ocean, according to prosecutors. The dramatic and terrifying incident occurred in the early hours of June 13, 2020. Brians had taken the toddlers from his parents’ home, “intent on killing the girls and himself,” the prosecution stated following his sentencing on Friday, September 20.
“Attempting to kill your innocent children to hurt your spouse is beyond despicable,” District Attorney Summer Stephan said in a statement. She called the event an “unspeakable act” and expressed her gratitude to first responders. “I am grateful to first responders who found this defendant’s whereabouts and were able to save the young girls from drowning.”
The girl’s mother, Jenna Brians, testified during a 2021 hearing, recounting how she desperately tried to locate her daughters that night. According to prosecutors, shortly before the incident, Brian FaceTimed Jenna to say goodbye and told her of his deadly intentions. “I told you, girls are going to Heaven and I’m going to Hell to wait for you,” he chillingly texted her, per CBS 8.
Panicked, Jenna called law enforcement around 4:30 a.m., alerting them to the danger. She then phoned Brian again, allowing police to track his location. Just minutes later, officers found his truck after it had plunged over the cliff.
Miraculously, the girls survived the fall. Medics arrived quickly, pulling them from the wreckage, and they were treated for injuries. At Friday’s sentencing, Jenna told the court that the twins were “thriving,” adding, “I’m thankful that Robert is taking responsibility for his wrongs and is ready to serve his time. This has been a missing step towards healing for all of us.”
Brians also addressed the court briefly, expressing remorse. “I love my babies, and I’m sorry,” he said, thanking the emergency responders who saved his daughters’ lives.
As of September 26, Brians had not yet been registered as a California state prisoner. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding his transfer from jail.
