California – In a shocking incident in California, a 51-year-old man, identified as R. Brians, has been sentenced to 31 years in a state prison after admitting to charges of attempted murder and kidnapping, among other offenses, following a terrifying incident involving his two-year-old daughters. Brians formally entered his guilty plea in August, accepting responsibility for attempting to murder his daughters and endangering their lives by driving off a cliff into the ocean. This shocking act occurred after a heated argument with the children’s mother and was reportedly motivated by a desire to harm the children and himself in a tragically misguided act of vengeance.
The incident unfolded in the early hours of June 13, 2020, when Brians, driven by a severe emotional breakdown, abducted his twin girls from his parents’ home without permission. His actions triggered an urgent response from the law enforcement after his ex-wife alerted them through a distressing 911 call. The situation escalated rapidly as Brians sent a series of chilling text messages to his ex-wife, threatening the lives of their daughters and indicating his intention to end their lives and his own. According to reports, Brians also posted “Tonight, I’m sending my babies to heaven” on social media.
According to reports, Brians was observed on a traffic camera speeding at 70 mph before he drove his vehicle off the cliff. The pickup truck flipped over and struck the water upside down, a terrifying plunge that could have ended in tragedy but fortunately did not lead to any fatalities. Following the incident, Brians was taken into custody. It was noted that at the time, he was out of jail on bond for a separate felony charge.
The first responders’ heroic actions were crucial in the rescue. A veteran canine officer, J. Wiese, used a 100-foot dog leash to rappel down the cliff and reach the submerged vehicle. Officer Wiese found Brians and his daughters in the water and managed to bring them to safety, despite Brians’ delirious state and continued outbursts concerning his ex-wife. For his courageous efforts, Officer Wiese was later awarded the Carnegie Medal, recognizing his valor and quick thinking under pressure.
During the sentencing, Brians expressed remorse, stating, “I love my babies, and I’m sorry.” However, the prosecution emphasized the severity of his actions. Deputy DA F. Balerio, who prosecuted the case, said, “Innocent children—and in this case even worse, your own children—to get back at your spouse is the epitome of evil, and that is what happened in this case.” The girls’ mother, shared her feelings on the sentencing: “Knowing that this day was coming has been haunting us for four years. 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.”
On Friday, he was sentenced to 31 years in state prison. Additionally, the court ordered him to stay away from his daughters for 10 years and imposed a $20,000 fine. The incident had a profound impact on all involved, especially the young twins, who miraculously survived the ordeal without serious injuries.
