CRIME, POLICE + COURTS

Man sentenced to 30+ years for killing Eagle Mountain toddlers

Jun 30, 2025, 12:24 PM | Updated: 2:23 pm

kent cody barlow...

Kent Cody Barlow during the first day of his jury trial on April 17. He is charged with two counts of murder and accused of causing a crash that killed two Eagle Mountain toddlers. The jury began deliberating his case Friday morning. (Jeremy Dubas)

(Jeremy Dubas)

SALT LAKE CITY — A man convicted of killing two toddlers in Eagle Mountain in 2022 was sentenced to serve at least 30 years in prison on Monday.

In April, a jury found Kent Cody Barlow guilty of two counts of murder in the deaths of 3-year-olds Hunter Jackson and Odin Ratliff.

Barlow was high on meth while driving his car around 120 miles an hour and crashed in to the Cedar Valley Stables, where Hunter and Odin were playing.

Barlow, by law, will have to serve at least 15 years in prison. Hunter and Odin’s family asked that he be sentenced to life in prison.

Families react to sentencing

At his sentencing, Barlow spoke for the first time in court. He tearfully apologized to the families, saying he wished he could take it all back.

The court was packed, and tears seemed to flow nonstop as the families of both the boys and Barlow spoke about how this case had weighed on them for the last three years.

Barlow’s mother, Wendy Barlow, said she never thought she’d be in this position and that she’s been trying to get him help since he was young. She said she truly believes her son is sorry.

“He’s had his issues, but deep down, he is a wonderful kid aside from his addiction.”

Hunter Jackson’s mother, Brooke Jackson, said she didn’t believe Barlow’s apologies.

“Like his history has shown, he’s learned nothing. And today, when he played tears, he was coached. Those weren’t real,” Jackson said.

Teresa Ratliff, Odin’s mother, agreed.

“If he was truly upset and remorseful at all, he would have taken the vehicular manslaughter charges when they were first offered. But no, he fought every single step of the way,” Ratliff said.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Crime, Police + Courts

This still image captured from video by a waitress shows the scene of a shooting that started at a ...

Sarah Raza and Ed White, Associated Press

New video shows gunman shooting victims at Idaho In-N-Out Burger drive-thru

Police released video Friday of a mass shooting that killed three people at an Idaho In-N-Out Burger.

3 days ago

A Utah County jury found Brandon Beckham, 50, guilty on two felony counts of forcible sexual abuse....

Daniella Rivera, KSL

Jury convicts former Utah Senate candidate in sexual abuse trial

After deliberating for less than five hours, a Utah County jury found Brandon Beckham, 50, guilty on two felony counts of forcible sexual abuse. Beckham was acquitted on a third count of forcible sexual abuse.

4 days ago

Image of a Costco location in Sandy, Utah. A California man accused of attempting to buy Nintendo a...

Pat Reavy, KSL

Charges filed in Costco ‘tap-to-pay fraud scheme’

A California man accused of attempting to buy Nintendo and Apple products at nine Costco stores in Salt Lake and Utah County with stolen bank card numbers is now facing charges.

4 days ago

An undated photo shows Dale and Reinette Schultz posing in front of a garden. Dale was shot and kil...

Garna Mejia, KSL

Utah man killed in Twin Falls shooting was ‘everybody’s hero,’ family says

The family of a Utah man killed in Saturday's mass shooting in Twin Falls, Idaho, said he was a talented artist, devoted husband, an Air Force veteran and someone who made everyone around him feel valued.

4 days ago

Dr. Anthony Fauci appears before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee at...

Eric Tucker, Associated Press

Senate committee votes to hold Fauci in contempt for refusing to answer COVID questions

A Senate committee has voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress and refer him to the Justice Department for potential prosecution over his refusal to answer questions at a hearing last week focused on his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

4 days ago

Firefighters respond to an apartment fire at 942 E. North Union Ave. near Hillcrest High School in ...

Heather Peterson

Midvale apartment fire tenants feel misled into paying for insurance that didn’t cover them

Residents displaced by last week's apartment fire said they feel misled into believing they had insurance that would cover their personal belongings.

5 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Whether you are chasing pristine beaches, fresh raspberry shakes, or endless water sports, this spo...

Bear Lake

Road trip ready: How Bear Lake became the go-to destination for Western U.S. travelers

Whether you are chasing pristine beaches, fresh raspberry shakes, or endless water sports, this sponsored guide—brought to you in partnership with Bear Lake —uncovers everything you need to plan the ultimate getaway.

How Harper Clinic's IOP is changing the face of mental health treatment in Utah....

Harper Clinic

A new standard of care: How Harper Clinic’s IOP is changing the face of mental health treatment in Utah

As demand for mental health care continues to rise across Utah County, Orem's Harper Clinic says it is trying to close the gap with a more comprehensive approach to mental health treatment.

The weight of depression is real. Many people spend years fighting it, adjusting medications, manag...

Harper Clinic

Breaking free from depression: How Harper Clinic’s TMS Therapy can help

Breaking free from depression: How Harper Clinic's TMS Therapy can help.

mental health...

Andrew Adams, KSL

Library discussions bring men’s mental health to the surface

Therapists say it’s common for men to repress things like trauma, grief, stress and anxiety. Now, a new weekly series of discussions aims to help men bring it all to the surface.

...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

Cozy up in Bear Lake: Discover the magic of a winter getaway

SALT LAKE CITY – The holiday season shines brightest when time slows down and loved ones gather. Gifts, decorations and festive music come and go, but shared experiences tend to last much longer. Research supports that idea. Dr. Theresa E. DiDonato told Psychology Today that vacations can strengthen relationships by creating meaningful time away from daily […]

...

Harper Clinic

Rewriting the path to healing: Inside Harper Clinic’s whole-person mental health model

OREM — A few decades ago, you’d have had a hard time finding a doctor to treat both your mind and body; And a century ago, you’d have been hard-pressed to find a doctor to treat your mind at all. Today, medical professionals are understanding more and more the undeniable connection between the body and […]

Man sentenced to 30+ years for killing Eagle Mountain toddlers