Father Sentenced to 31 Years for Driving Off Cliff with Twin Daughters in Attempted Murder
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A California father who intentionally drove his pickup truck off a cliff into the Pacific Ocean with his twin toddler daughters inside has been sentenced to 31 years in prison. Robert Brians, 51, pleaded guilty in August to charges including two counts of attempted murder, child abuse, kidnapping, domestic violence, and burglary related to the 2020 incident, according to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors say Brian was consumed by rage during a contentious divorce and custody dispute when he deliberately drove off Sunset Cliffs, a well-known scenic location, with his two-year-old daughters. The sentencing, which took place on Friday, September 20, followed a lengthy investigation into what the district attorney called an “unspeakable act.”
According to court documents, Brian had taken the toddlers from his parents’ home in the middle of the night with the intent to kill them and himself. “Attempting to kill your innocent children to hurt your spouse is beyond despicable,” said District Attorney Summer Stephan in a press release. “I am grateful to the first responders who located the defendant and were able to save the young girls from drowning.”
The girls’ mother, Jenna Brians, testified at a 2021 hearing that she had frantically texted her estranged husband, trying to locate their daughters. Just before the incident, Brians FaceTimed her, saying goodbye and revealing his plan to drive off the cliff. “I told you, the girls are going to Heaven, and I’m going to Hell to wait for you,” he texted her, according to prosecutors.
At around 4:30 a.m. on June 13, 2020, Jenna called law enforcement after receiving the chilling message. She stayed on the phone with Brians, allowing authorities to track his location. Within minutes, officers arrived at the scene to find Brians’ truck had already gone over the cliff. Emergency responders acted quickly, pulling Brians and his daughters from the wreckage and saving their lives.
During Friday’s sentencing, Jenna Brians expressed gratitude that her daughters survived the horrific event. “I’m thankful that Robert is taking responsibility for his wrongs and is ready to serve his time,” she said, adding that the girls, now thriving, are on the path to recovery. “This has been a missing step towards healing for all of us,” she noted, according to CBS 8.
Brians spoke briefly at the sentencing, thanking the first responders who saved his daughters. “I love my babies and I’m sorry,” he said, expressing remorse for his actions. As of September 26, Brians had not yet been registered as an inmate in California’s prison system. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding his transfer from jail.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
