Ogden, UT – A 34-year-old woman from Utah, Kayla Barlow, is facing serious charges after she was accused of intentionally introducing infections and harmful bacteria into her 2-year-old son’s bloodstream, according to court documents. Barlow has been charged with one count of aggravated child abuse, a second-degree felony.
The disturbing case came to light after hospital staff at a children’s facility in Salt Lake County reported a series of concerning incidents involving Barlow’s son. On February 28, 2024, officials responded to a child abuse call at the hospital, following months of suspicion surrounding the toddler’s repeated illnesses. The child had been admitted to the hospital in December 2023, where doctors quickly noticed an alarming pattern: whenever Barlow visited her son, he would immediately begin showing signs of illness. However, the child’s condition seemed to improve when she left the hospital.
Hospital staff grew increasingly concerned after finding human feces in the child’s drip line. Detectives were called to investigate, and when they sought to search Barlow’s bag, she refused. Barlow claimed the syringes found in her bag were for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and asserted that she did not want them to be misconstrued as evidence of harming her son.
Further investigation into the toddler’s medical history revealed more troubling details. The child, who had a chronic lung disease and was oxygen-dependent, had recently been discharged from a hospital in Colorado with a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line) in place and was on antibiotics. The child fell ill before a scheduled follow-up appointment, prompting a visit to a Utah hospital, where he tested positive for E. coli.
Doctors at the Utah hospital discovered bacteria growing on the child’s PICC line, and after replacing it, the new line showed signs of bacterial infection in the child’s bloodstream. According to medical reports, the bacteria found in the child’s blood was often linked to vaginal secretions or fecal matter, substances that can be purchased online. The nature of the infection made it clear that it could not have been introduced orally and could only have entered the bloodstream through a direct, harmful action.
Despite receiving adequate medical care, the child continued to fall ill, which raised alarm among doctors, who suspected possible child abuse. Authorities were notified, and further investigation pointed to Barlow as the likely source of the infections.
In light of the severity of the charges and the circumstances surrounding the case, the State of Utah has requested that Barlow be held without bail pending trial. The case has sparked widespread concern over the safety and well-being of the young child, who remains under medical care.
Barlow’s trial will proceed as the investigation into her actions continues to unfold.