Timeline in Kent Cody Barlow’s deadly DUI crash that killed two 3-year-olds

EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah (ABC4) — The man accused of killing two 3-year-olds in a DUI crash in 2022 is currently on trial. Kent Cody Barlow, 29, crashed into a corral while allegedly under the influence of methamphetamine. The structure he hit collapsed onto two boys playing in the sand, causing their deaths.

Here is a timeline of Barlow’s alleged crime and court case, compiled from documents and hearings.

2019

Aug. 23, 2019: Barlow is arrested after allegedly stealing a Draper City Police Department vehicle while leading police on a chase. He crashed through a fence and several mailboxes while fleeing from police. At the time, Barlow was on parole and had several warrants for his arrest.

2021

March 10, 2021: Barlow is sentenced for his Aug. 23, 2019, crime. He receives two sentences set for 1 – 15 years, and two sentences for less than five years.

Oct. 26, 2021: Barlow is granted parole, with stipulations that he will check in regularly with his Adult Probation and Parole officer and not commit any crimes. According to a lawsuit, Barlow would violate his parole several times.

2022

May 2, 2022: Barlow crashed a vehicle with three passengers through a fence into a corral area at a speed of more than 100 mph. The vehicle rolled, causing the death of two children who were playing in the sand in the corral. Passengers in the vehicle also sustained injuries, and told police that Barlow was driving recklessly and the passengers feared for their lives. Barlow was taken into custody.

May 3, 2022: Utah County Sheriff’s Office identified the two 3-year-olds as Odin Ratliff and Hunter Jackson. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Barlow tested positive for methamphetamine at the time of the crash.

Community members gathered to mourn the deaths of the boys.

May 12, 2022: Utah County Attorney David Leavitt held a press conference to announce charges. Barlow is formally charged with two counts of manslaughter, a second-degree felony. Leavitt states that this may lead to more prison time than a murder charge.

Odin’s mother, Theresa Ratliff, speaks with ABC4.com. She said, “It’s a blow to your chest every time knowing he’s not there, because you wake up looking. Like – how do you grieve that?” Ratliff hoped for the maximum sentence.

June 28, 2022: The court amended Barlow’s information, including a misdemeanor charge of possession or use of a controlled substance. He then faced two charges of manslaughter and a drug possession/use charge.

July 7, 2022: During Barlow’s preliminary hearing, a witness who was a passenger shared what happened. He says, “I remember climbing out of the car and seeing a gentleman and multiple people screaming… and I remember a woman running across the field screaming.” 

The judge says he needs more time to determine if there is enough evidence to hold a trial.

July 28, 2022: Judge Robert Lund rules that there is sufficient evidence to bind over Barlow and hold a trial. Arraignment is set for Aug. 8, 2022.

Aug. 8, 2022: Barlow pleads not guilty to all three charges at his arraignment.

2023

Feb. 23, 2023: Barlow’s defense argues that police did not have probable cause to perform drug tests at the scene of the crash. Judge Lund rules that Barlow’s reckless driving was enough probable cause, and the evidence is admissible in court.

March 15, 2023: The information in Barlow’s case is amended again. His charges are upgraded from manslaughter to first-degree felony murder, citing a depraved indifference to human life.

2024

Feb. 7, 2024: Barlow appears in court for a preliminary hearing. Another passenger in his vehicle on the day of the crash testifies that they were telling him to stop and slow down.

Feb. 21, 2024: The second part of Barlow’s preliminary hearing. Evidence showed that the car did not directly hit the two 3-year-olds, but it caused the roof to collapse and kill them. A pipe used for drugs was located at the scene by the family, and the judge admitted it into evidence.

Attorneys asked the judge to continue the case to March 1 and 22, saying that 12 witnesses would be available to take the stand.

March 1, 2024: Witnesses and first responders testified about what they saw at the crash scene on May 2, 2022.

March 20, 2024: Odin’s parents, Theresa and Robert Ratliff, file a wrongful death lawsuit against the State of Utah, the Utah Department of Corrections, the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole, Utah Adult Probation and Parole, and Wasatch Behavioral Health.

The lawsuit read, “Mr. Barlow has a long and troubling history of disregarding the law, and endangering the public and himself.” They claimed that the State of Utah and the agencies listed should not have allowed him to endanger the public due to his criminal history, and that “Odin’s death was foreseeable.”

March 22, 2024: The defense brought in a crash reconstruction expert, a crime scene analyst, and the former medical examiner as expert witnesses at the continued preliminary hearing.

May 19, 2024: The defense files to disqualify Judge Robert Lund from Barlow’s case. They argue that he “prejudged the case.”

May 20, 2024: Barlow is ordered to stand trial for his two charges of depraved indifference murder and one charge of possession of a controlled substance.

June 12, 2024: At a hearing, trial dates are set for September 2024. Evidence to be used in that trial is discussed by Barlow’s defense and Judge Lund.

Hunter’s mom, Brooke Jackson, states, “This trial that’s supposed to happen in September, not one of us has requested it off yet because we have no faith of it happening. Hunter and Odin still deserve justice and we don’t feel like we’re getting it.”

July 30, 2024: One of Barlow’s attorneys, Benjamin Aldana, asks to take time off the case for familial reasons.

Aug. 14, 2024: Aldana files to withdraw from the case, saying that a trial will “require intense mental focus which is something that I am currently not capable of — at least not in the way that based on my experience, I know is required.”

Aug. 16, 2024: The allowance of Barlow’s cell phone data into evidence is discussed during oral arguments. Aldana also argues that he does not have sufficient preparation for the hearing due to his motion to withdraw as counsel. This motion is granted the following day, and Aldana removes himself from the case.

Sep. 23, 2024: Due to Aldana’s withdrawal, the trial will not be able to be held as scheduled. Judge Lund apologizes to the family of the victims for the upcoming delay.

“What’s going to happen now is this case is going to be reassigned to another judge because it can’t be tried before the end of the year,” Judge Lund stated.

Sep. 25, 2024: Judge Derek Pullan is assigned as the new judge presiding over the case.

Nov. 5, 2024: The trial dates for Barlow’s case are set for April 14 – May 2, 2025.

Dec. 4, 2024: Judge Linda Jones dismissed the Ratliff family’s lawsuit against several Utah agencies. She sided with the State of Utah, stating they cannot be held responsible for what Barlow did while on parole.

“I am dismissing the case. I understand that this is disappointing for the plaintiffs. The loss of their son and his friend is tragic and unimaginable, a parent’s worst nightmare. But I am required to follow the law,” Judge Jones said.

2025

March 21, 2025: Oral arguments are held with the trial set to begin in less than a month. The prosecution and defense argue whether murder charges should be called such in front of the jury.

“Having carefully considered that issue, the jury will be instructed that the defendant has been charged with depraved indifference murder. This title accurately reflects the charges,” Judge Pullan stated.

April 14, 2025: Jury selection begins in Barlow’s trial.

April 17, 2025: Opening arguments begin. Morrison argues, “It’s a parent’s worst nightmare but it was not depraved indifference, murder. It couldn’t have been. Because the evidence will show that my client did not know those children were there.”

“Depraved indifference, murder, what the defendant is charged with does not require proof of intent to kill,” McBride states.

April 18, 2025: Brooke Jackson, Hunter’s mother, testifies during the second day of trial. She testified about what she heard after the crash, and how they only found out the boys were dead when the sheriff deputies asked for blankets to cover their bodies.

Body-worn camera footage was also shared, showing the moments where UCSO deputies responded to the scene. A passenger in the vehicle during the crash also testified.

April 21, 2025: The third day of Barlow’s trial is currently underway, with more witnesses expected to testify.