More than three years after Kent Cody Barlow crashed through the fence of a horse stable, killing two Eagle Mountain boys, the 28-year-old man was sentenced on Monday to 30 years to life in prison.

In April, after a nearly two-week trial, a jury found Barlow guilty on two counts of depraved indifference murder for the deaths of Odin Ratliff and Hunter Jackson.

On May 2, 2022, Barlow was driving high on methamphetamine, when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the Cedar Valley Horse Stables in Eagle Mountain where the 3-year-old boys were playing with their toy trucks.

Barlow will serve two consecutive 15-year prison terms for the death of each child. Those are in addition to a term he’s currently serving for a 2019 case where he stole a motorcycle and ran from police. Barlow was on parole for that case at the time of the 2022 incident.

During Monday’s proceeding inside Provo’s 4th District Court, prosecutors cited Barlow’s extensive criminal history, including multiple traffic violations, probation and parole revocations, and a recent physical altercation at the Beaver County Jail, where he was initially serving jail time.

They pushed for consecutive sentencing, citing Barlow’s lack of accountability and continued substance abuse.

Barlow’s defense team did not argue the consequences of Barlow’s actions that ultimately led to the deaths of the two children but said that their client wants to change his life and requested that Barlow be granted a “second chance.” They also argued that consecutive sentencing would be unfair.

Before he issued the ruling, 4th District Judge Derek Pullan gave Barlow an opportunity to speak before the court and both boys’ families who were present at the sentencing hearing.

Barlow shed tears on the stand as he reflected on his actions and the consequences he will face.

“I want the families to know that I am terribly, truly sorry,” he said. “Every day for the last three years, I have spent hoping and wishing that I could go back to take back my actions or trade those two little boys places.”

He went on to say he hopes that one day he can make amends with the families and people in the community who cared for and loved Hunter and Odin.

“I hope one day that no matter what happens here today, that I’m able to take that journey to make amends with the families and with the community and the people around me,” Barlow said. “My family as well, because it wasn’t just the families of Hunter and Odin that were shattered that day, but it was my family as well.”

Pullan expressed sympathy to the families of both boys and said while Monday’s sentencing may bring a sense of justice and closure to the trial, their two lives can never be replaced.

“It is my earnest hope that today’s sentence can bring some measure of closure and healing to each one of you,” he said.

Pullan carefully outlined the reasons for the court’s decision, including the gravity and circumstances of the offense, the number of victims and Barlow’s history within the criminal justice system.

He implored Barlow to take advantage of any educational and treatment opportunities during his incarceration.

“The life you have in prison will be limited, but it is a life that you have, and it’s a life that Odin and Hunter will not realize,” Pullan said. “The quality of your life will be different, but it is a life; and it won’t be a life that affords you choices, and I earnestly admonish you to take advantage of all education and treatment opportunities that afford you to the prison, to try to live a life of service with your fellow inmates and to make something of the life that you will have there.”

Barlow was also ordered to pay restitution; he has 30 days to appeal the judge’s ruling.