SB 9: Victims’ Impact statement at sentencing (2026)
Here are the news stories from the family about their desire to pass Aubree’s Law:
Jen More, Aubree Zent’s grandmother, said Hancz-Barron should have been made to face the victims’ families.
“He has no accountability for his actions,” More said. “I feel like if he would sit down and really give a good listen to the victim impact statements, let us get it out, maybe some accountability may be held there.”
In June of 2021, 26-year-old Sarah Zent, 5-year-old Carter Zent, 3-year-old Ashton Zent, and 2-year-old Aubree Zent were brutally murdered in a quiet Fort Wayne neighborhood. On May 19, 22-year-old Cohen Hancz-Barron was found guilty of four counts of murder. He was sentenced to four life sentences without the possibility of parole during hearing on Aug 5, 2022.
Missing from the sentencing hearing was Hancz-Barron. Victims’ family members have called him a coward after learning he opted not to attend his sentencing hearing, meaning he did not have to face the victim impact statements that were read.
This organization and Aubree’s father, grandparents and aunt have been backing legislation to right this wrong. SB 9 (nicknamed “Aubree’s Law”) has been introduced at the Statehouse by Sen. Liz Brown (R-Fort Wayne). The bill is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee. It requires convicted felons to be present in the courtroom while a statement is made by a victim or victim’s family concerning the crime.
We hope the passing of this bill will move the families towards closure and allow for healing. We will continue to update this page with the bill’s movement.