Man sentenced to 30+ years for killing Eagle Mountain toddlers

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.