A California dad sent a chilling text message to his wife before he drove off a cliff with their two young children.
Robert Brians, 51, pleaded guilty in August to multiple charges, including two counts of attempted murder, two counts of kidnapping, and one count each of child abuse, burglary, and domestic violence.
The charges stem from a June 13, 2020 incident when Brians, in the midst of a family dispute, drove his then two-year-old daughters off the cliff in an attempt to take their lives as well as his own, per NBC San Diego.
All three were rescued from the water, injured but alive.
“Knowing that this day was coming has been haunting us for four years,” said the girls’ mother, Jenna Brians, 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.”
Prosecutors said Brians acted “in a fit of rage” during the custody battle. He had taken the children from his parent’s home in the middle of the night with the intention of ending their lives.
“Attempting to kill your innocent children to hurt your spouse is beyond despicable,” said District Attorney Summer Stephan in a statement.
She described the act as an “unspeakable” crime and praised first responders for saving the young girls from drowning.
Jenna called law enforcement for help around 4:30AM on June 13, 2020, according to a GoFundMe page set up after the incident.
She then kept her husband on the phone long enough for police to track his location.
Officers arrived at the scene within minutes and found the truck after it had plunged off the cliff. Medics quickly intervened, and the girls were saved.
According to court testimony, Jenna had contacted police on the morning of the incident after receiving threatening messages from Brians.
One chilling text read: “The girls are going to Heaven and I’m going to Hell to wait for you.”
During the sentencing, Jenna Brians expressed relief, noting that her daughters, who survived the ordeal, were “thriving.”
She told CBS 8: “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 spoke briefly during the sentencing, thanking the emergency responders who rescued his daughters. “I love my babies, and I’m sorry,” he said.
The judge imposed a 10-year no-contact order, preventing Brians from communicating with Jenna or his daughters.
Looking ahead, Jenna expressed optimism for the future.
She told the court: “Life, living it to the fullest, enjoying every moment watching those girls grow into the beautiful women that they’re going to be one day… They’re going to do something amazing.
“There is a purpose for them here – an amazing purpose – and I’m thankful that I get to be their mom and I get to be a part of that.”
