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

The campus of the Utah State Hospital in Provo is pictured on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Laura Seitz,...

Daniel Woodruff, KSL

Utah State Hospital needs ‘significant’ increase in beds, lawmakers told

The Utah State Hospital needs dozens of new beds over the next few years to meet growing demand, officials said.

5 days ago

Salt Lake City police patrol during the weekly "999 Ride" in the city on June 4. Police have closel...

Carter Williams, KSL

These riders say Salt Lake City’s 999 Ride is ‘souring,’ but what can be done about it?

People who participate in Salt Lake City's '999 Ride' are concerned about what growth has brought, namely vandalism, disorderly conduct and even assault.

6 days ago

Four gang members recently charged as part of a long-term investigation highlight a recent rash of ...

Pat Reavy, KSL

4 charged in ‘long-term investigation’ into Utah street gang

An alleged "shot caller" for his street gang, who is already facing a charge of attempted murder, has been charged again in connection with a long-term investigation by police.

6 days ago

Two Salt Lake County sheriff’s deputies hurry toward their vehicles and rush off with lights and ...

Pat Reavy, KSL

Teen shot outside Kearns funeral believed to have shot 2 others first

Unified Police believe that a 17-year-old shot two people near a Kearns funeral before he, himself, was injured by gunfire. A 45-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting.

7 days ago

A member of the Forensics Unit uses a metal detector to search for evidence as police investigate a...

Pat Reavy, KSL

Father of teen shot at Kearns funeral arrested for investigation of murder

A 45-year-old man was arrested in connection with a fatal confrontation at a funeral in Kearns that resulted in one man being killed and two others injured.

7 days ago

Police investigate a deadly shooting outside a Kearns church during a funeral on Monday Aug. 17, 20...

Eric Cabrera

1 dead, 2 critically injured in shooting outside Kearns church during funeral

One man was killed and two others were critically injured after gunfire erupted outside a Kearns church during a funeral, launching an investigation that stretched across two crime scenes.

8 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