Sun Cha Warhola, 59, received concurrent sentences of 15 years to life on two counts of first-degree felony murder from Judge Michael Edwards. She fatally strangled her son, James Warhola, 8, and daughter, Jean Warhola, 7, in Layton.

She was arrested in September 2010 after her then-husband, Kenneth Warhola, arrived home from work to find his wife barricaded in their son’s bedroom, according to charging documents. Sun Cha Warhola had reportedly blocked the door with a bed and told her husband to “give her 10 minutes” before entering the room.

After pushing the door open, Kenneth Warhola reportedly found his children unresponsive; his son’s face was said to be cold to the touch. Police later found the children dead with what appeared to be defensive marks on their arms and legs, as well as strangulation marks on their necks, according to an arrest affidavit. Meanwhile, Sun Cha Warhola’s arms and legs reportedly had injuries consistent with a struggle.

In 2011, Sun Cha Warhola was found not competent to stand trial and was admitted to the Utah State Hospital. After a series of competency evaluations, jury trials set and later canceled, additional delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, more recently, a plea agreement, she pleaded guilty to the murders last June.

The Board of Pardons will determine whether she will be given credit for 5,409 days served. Once she completes her sentence, the court noted that she can be readmitted to the state hospital. During Monday’s sentencing hearing, Sun Cha Warhola — who is of Korean descent — requested that she be allowed to return to her native country.

A restitution hearing is scheduled for July 28.