San Diego Man Sentenced To 31 Years for Trying To Kill Daughters

Robert Brians has been sentenced to 31 years behind bars for trying to murder his 2-year-old twin daughters.

At a Glance

Robert Brians, 51, drove his truck off Sunset Cliffs with his twin toddlers inside in 2020.
He pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including attempted murder.
The incident occurred on June 13, 2020, and all three were rescued from the water.
Jenna Brians expressed relief and closure following the sentencing.
San Diego police witnessed the truck speeding off the cliff and responded quickly.

Sentencing and Charges

Robert Brians, aged 51, has been sentenced to 31 years in state prison for driving his truck off Sunset Cliffs while his 2-year-old twin daughters were inside. This incident took place in 2020. Brians pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including attempted murder, kidnapping, child abuse, burglary, and domestic violence.

The incident transpired on June 13, 2020. Although injured, all three individuals were successfully rescued from the water. Jenna Brians, the mother of the twins, expressed a sense of relief and closure following the sentencing.

Robert Brians, 51, of #SanDiego, #California, has been sentenced to 31 years in state prison for attempting to murder his twin daughters by driving them off a 30-foot cliff at Sunset Cliffs in June 2020

Brians pleaded guilty to attempted murder, kidnapping, child abuse, burglary… pic.twitter.com/jy5wtOwgqx

— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) September 22, 2024

Details of the Incident

Jenna had called the police after receiving threatening messages from Robert, including one message stating that the “girls are going to Heaven and I’m going to Hell to wait for you.” Police tracked Robert to Sunset Cliffs and witnessed him drive his truck off the cliff. San Diego police Officer Jonathan Wiese used a 100-foot leash for his service dog to rappel down the cliff and rescue them.

One of the girls held onto Brians while crying, and the other appeared lifeless. They were all eventually hospitalized; one girl sustained severe injuries, including a brain bleed and vertebrae fractures.

“Attempting to kill your innocent children to hurt your spouse is beyond despicable,” DA Summer Stephan said. “I am grateful to first responders who found this defendant’s whereabouts and were able to save the young girls from drowning. I’m also proud of our Family Protection Division for holding this defendant accountable for his unspeakable act.”

Impact on the Family

Jenna Brians testified about her communication with Robert during the incident, which included a Facetime call where he said goodbye to the girls. Jenna testified that she received a text message from Robert clearly stating his suicidal intentions. A 10-year no-contact order was issued, prohibiting Robert from communicating with Jenna or their daughters. Jenna looks forward to moving on and watching her daughters grow and thrive.

“Knowing that this day was coming has been haunting us for four years,” Jenna Brians stated after the sentencing. “But it’s nice to finally have closure today, not just for myself, but for my daughters most of all, to know that their dad is taking responsibility for the horrific acts that he made that day, the choices that he’s made.”

During the hearing, Robert Brians expressed remorse and even thanked law enforcement for saving the children. Deputy District Attorney Franciesca Balerio highlighted the case as an extreme form of domestic violence. DA Summer Stephan condemned Brians’ actions and praised the quick response of first responders.

Resource information for those experiencing domestic violence or child abuse is available. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-7233.