PROVO, Utah — Kent Cody Barlow was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison on Monday for the deaths of two Eagle Mountain toddlers who were killed after he crashed into the stable where they were playing in 2022.
The two sentences were both 15 years to life for each boy's death and will run consecutively.
"Mr Barlow, you engaged in an utter callousness and disregard for human life that could be affected by your choices," admonished Judge Derek Pullan.
Barlow was found guilty in April on two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 3-year-old Odin Ratliff and Hunter Jackson. He was also convicted on a charge of possession of methamphetamine.
"We’ve been waiting for this day for a really long time to finally get justice for Hunter and Odin," said Hunter's mother, Brooke, after the sentencing. "I think we mostly got it."
During his sentencing hearing, Barlow wept as he apologized to the families of both Ratliff and Jackson, saying he wished he could switch places with the boys.
"I want the families to know that I am truly sorry, and every day for the last three years, I’ve spent hoping and wishing that I could go back," he said.
"I don’t believe a word he says, as I said in my statement, it’s a little late for apologies," said Theresa Ratliff, Odin's mother.
Family members of both toddlers spoke at the hearing about the pain and suffering they've felt since Barlow's actions took their childrens' lives, as well as a member of the Utah County Sheriff's Office, who shared how the emotions of that day live on in all law enforcement officers who responded to the scene.
'Panic and chaos;' Toddler's mother details moment of son's death in Barlow trial:
Ratliff and Jackson were playing at the Cedar Valley Stables on May 2, 2022 when a car driven by Barlow, who was high on meth and out on parole, crashed into a corral at a high rate of speed. During the trial, Barlow's defense team argued that the incident was an "unintentional accident" and not murder
Following nearly 10 hours of deliberation, the jury returned with guilty verdicts on all charges against Barlow.
