The defendants are responding to the lawsuit filed by the parents of a small child killed in an accident

PROVO, Utah – Wasatch Behavioral Health and the state of Utah addressed the claims of the parents of 3-year-old Odin Ratliff, who was killed more than two years ago, at the Matheson Courthouse on Wednesday.

In May 2022, 28-year-old Cody Barlow, driving over 100 miles per hour while allegedly taking methamphetamine, crashed through the fence of a corral in Eagle Mountain – killing three-year-olds Odin Ratliff and Hunter Jackson as they played.

In May, Theresa and Robert Ratliff filed a lawsuit against the state of Utah. In the lawsuit, they alleged that the Utah Department of Corrections, the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole, Utah Adult Probation and Wasatch Behavioral Health were responsible for their son's death.

The lawsuit alleges that the state of Utah and Wasatch Behavioral Health knew before the crash that Barlow had violated his probation, but falsely reported that he was complying with the terms of his probation.

The lawsuit says Barlow failed to show up for scheduled drug tests, tested positive for methamphetamine and missed meetings with his probation officer. It also says the state and Wasatch hired and retained unqualified employees.

“We have no allegation that Wasatch screened unqualified employees and made positive decisions. Very broad language is used, which of course can potentially be interpreted in a variety of ways,” said Melinda Bowen, defense attorney for Wasatch Behavioral Health.

Bowen said claims should not be made legally.

Kent Cody Barlow is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of drug possession in the deaths of the two 3-year-old boys.

The next court date is December 4th. The judge will decide whether he can legally pursue the claims.