Father’s Custody Battle Ends with Shocking 31-Year Prison Sentence

Policeman escorting handcuffed prisoner in orange jumpsuit.

Robert Brians faces 31 years in prison for driving off a California cliff with his twin daughters during a custody dispute.

At a Glance

Robert Brians sentenced to 31 years for attempted murder of his daughters.
Incident occurred amid divorce and custody dispute in June 2020.
Both daughters survived and are reportedly thriving.
Brians expressed remorse during his sentencing.

A Father’s Deadly Custody Dispute

Robert Brians, a 51-year-old San Diego man, has been sentenced to 31 years in prison after driving his truck off a cliff with his twin toddler daughters during a heated custody dispute. The tragic incident occurred on June 13, 2020, following an acrimonious divorce with Jenna Brians.

Brians took the girls from his parents’ home in the middle of the night, with a plan to kill both his daughters and himself. The vehicle plunged into the Pacific Ocean at 70 mph. Emergency responders quickly located and rescued the girls, who remarkably survived the crash. Brians, who pleaded guilty to multiple charges including attempted murder, child abuse, and domestic violence, expressed remorse and gratitude to the responders during his sentencing.

Calif. Dad Sentenced for Driving Off Cliff with 2-Year-Old Twins Because He Was Angry at Girls' Mother https://t.co/eCjBCr0p9m via @Yahoo

— Will Lee (@MidnoirCowboy) September 26, 2024

Heroic Rescue and Legal Proceedings

K-9 officer Jonathan Wiese, using a dog leash to rappel down the cliff, rescued Brians and the girls, who made a full recovery. Brians was airlifted to a hospital and then jailed. The court heard emotional testimony from Jenna Brians, who detailed her efforts to locate the girls and called law enforcement for help.

“I told you, girls are going to Heaven and I’m going to Hell to wait for you,” he texted her, per prosecutors.

Deputy District Attorney Franciesca Balerio condemned Brians’ actions, stating, “Domestic violence comes in many forms. In this particular case, using children, innocent children, and in this case even worse, your own children, to get back at your spouse is the epitome of evil.” During the trial, District Attorney Summer Stephan also condemned the act as “beyond despicable.”

Closure and Relief for the Family

Jenna Brians expressed relief and gratitude for the legal outcome. “It’s nice to finally have closure today, not just for myself, but for my daughters most of all,” she said following the sentencing. Brians was fined $20,000 and received a 10-year no-contact order prohibiting him from communicating with Jenna or the girls. The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office praised first responders for their quick action that saved the girls.

“Knowing that this day was coming has been haunting us for four years,” the girls’ mother Jenna Brians said following the sentencing.

This case underscores the urgent need for proactive measures against domestic violence and enhanced child welfare safeguards. Resources and support services for domestic violence victims are available for those in need, highlighting the importance of community support in preventing such tragic incidents. Brians’ sentencing serves as a grim reminder of the destructive potential of unchecked domestic strife and the critical role of emergency responders in safeguarding lives.