Charges filed against California dad accused of driving off cliff with toddlers

Robert Brians, a 47-year-old man accused of intentionally driving a pickup truck off Sunset Cliffs and into the ocean with his twin toddler daughters inside, pleaded not guilty Monday to attempted murder, kidnapping and other charges, according to City News Service via KSWB-TV.

Robert Brians is charged in a 13-count criminal complaint with child abuse, making criminal threats, child abduction and burglary. He being held without bail and is due back in court July 22 for a readiness conference. The judge scheduled a preliminary hearing for Aug. 25.

MORE: Dad pleads not guilty to charges of driving off cliff with young daughters - KSWB

via KSWB:

SAN DIEGO (KSWB/City News Service) -- Attempted murder, kidnapping, child abuse, child abduction, criminal threats and burglary charges have been filed against a man accused of intentionally driving a pickup truck off Sunset Cliffs and into the ocean with his twin toddler daughters inside, the San Diego County District Attorney's Office announced Friday.

Robert Brians is being held without bail on suspicion of driving into the water last Saturday morning with his 2-year-old daughters inside the truck. The girls were hospitalized in stable condition. Brians, 47, is slated to be arraigned Monday.

About 4:30 a.m. last Saturday, the toddlers' mother called 911 to report that Brians had taken their children without permission and allegedly contacted her via “numerous calls and texts ... clearly stating she may not see [them] again,” according to the family.

He allegedly threatened to drive the vehicle off the Coronado Bay Bridge, but was later spotted by officers on Hill Street near Cornish Drive and sped off, careening over the side of a cliff and landing upside down in the water, according to police.