Sandra Moody filed the civil lawsuit against BrightStar Care, BrightStar Care of East Jacksonville/Neptune Beach and the two people convicted in the criminal case.
CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — The widow of a Marine veteran who died while under the care of a man posing as a nurse has filed a lawsuit against BrightStar Care, its former Jacksonville franchise and the two people convicted in the criminal case.
The lawsuit filed June 26, 2026, in the 4th Judicial Circuit Court in Clay County alleges BrightStar Care was trusted to provide skilled nursing services to eligible veterans as a provider in the VA Community Care Network, but that trust was broken when the local franchise sent an unlicensed caregiver to provide nursing care.
The family of 69-year-old Marine veteran Kensworth Moody says the lawsuit is about preventing another family from experiencing the same tragedy.
“We miss our dad. We missed out on his progress. We missed out on God’s miracle. We missed out on the opportunity to actually be able to help him,” Kadian Moody said.
More than a year and a half after Kensworth Moody died at his Fleming Island home, his widow, Sandra Moody, says she is still seeking accountability.
When asked what justice would look like, Sandra Moody said:
“To make sure that this doesn’t happen to someone else… To make sure that the veterans are being handled correctly, taken care of, and they are safe in their home.”
Sandra Moody filed the lawsuit against BrightStar Care, Humdum LLC, which was doing business as BrightStar Care of East Jacksonville/Neptune Beach, Julien Williams, who was caring for Kensworth Moody when he died, and Williams’ fiancée, Alexiea Irwin, who also worked for the franchise.
In March 2026, Williams and Irwin both pleaded guilty to criminal use of personal identification and practicing without a license. Williams also pleaded guilty to abuse or neglect of an elderly person.
Although Kensworth Moody’s death was ruled natural, investigators found home surveillance video showing Williams failed to respond when Moody showed signs of respiratory distress. A 60-page state investigative report says Williams did not alert Moody’s family, including Sandra Moody, who is a nurse and was home at the time, and failed to perform CPR or call for emergency assistance.
The lawsuit alleges the Jacksonville franchise falsely represented Irwin as a nurse and continued employing her after it knew, or should have known, that she was “unlicensed, untrained and unqualified” and it says she had a prior criminal record, including identity fraud charges. It further alleges the franchise allowed Irwin to hire additional unlicensed and unqualified staff.
Darla Keen, the attorney representing the Moody family, says the lawsuit includes multiple negligence claims.
“It’s a 17-count complaint that involves both negligent hiring, negligent retention, negligent supervision, the negligence of Humdum, abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult.”
Keen also argues the lawsuit extends beyond the local franchise.
“It’s important to note that the franchisor, BrightStar Franchising LLC, bears responsibility in this case.”
According to the 46-page complaint, BrightStar Care’s corporate office knew about staffing and hiring concerns months before Moody’s death but failed to intervene.
The lawsuit cites a December 2023 notice of default sent from BrightStar’s corporate office to the East Jacksonville/Neptune Beach franchise. According to the complaint, the letter warned the franchise about hiring nurses on an expedited basis without completing required vetting, training and other procedures.
The complaint says the franchise was given 30 days to correct the deficiencies or risk losing its franchise agreement.
The lawsuit also references previous complaints involving alleged billing, staffing and documentation problems, including allegations that patient care records falsely stated services had been provided when they had not.
Keen said those issues should have prompted action before Williams ever entered the Moodys’ home.
“BrightStar Corporate knew of their hiring practices and what was going on there before Julian Williams ever walked through the front door of Sandra Moody’s home.”
Days after Moody’s death, state regulators suspended the Jacksonville franchise’s license to operate. The business remains closed.
While Williams and Irwin have already been convicted in the criminal case and are serving prison sentences, Keen said the civil lawsuit seeks to hold everyone the family believes shares responsibility accountable.
“Kensworth Moody was accountable to our country. He dedicated himself again for over two decades… and the health care system absolutely failed him in this case. The defendants in this case chose a paycheck, and Kensworth Moody paid for his life.”
The attorney representing the former franchise owner, Clemente Inclan, declined to comment, saying only that his client denies all wrongdoing.
Kendra Moody said the family’s goal extends beyond financial compensation.
“The civil part is more of just making sure nobody has the audacity to ever try to do something like this ever again.”
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.
Sandra Moody said the case has never been about money.
“It’s not about money. It’s about the life.”
Kadian Moody echoed that sentiment.
“There’s not $1 that could replace the amount of time that we’ve suffered to fight for this case alone, but just the grief that we are going through. The events of this happening to us, the trauma that has come with this. It’s about understanding that this should not ever have happened to anyone, and we just want justice to truly be served.”
First Coast News reached out multiple times to BrightStar Care’s corporate office for comment on the lawsuit but did not receive a response.
In a statement provided to First Coast News in January 2025, the corporation said, “The BrightStar Care system’s number one priority is the safety and well-being of its clients. We are aware of an investigation regarding an independently owned and operated franchisee in Jacksonville, FL and are working in cooperation with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and other relevant authorities regarding this franchised location. We have already exercised our right to terminate the local franchisee’s franchise agreement, and it is no longer a part of the BrightStar Care system.”
Williams was sentenced in April to 20 years in prison. Irwin was sentenced to two years.
When First Coast News asked the VA whether BrightStar Care is still contracted with the VA as a provider in the VA Community Care network, a VA spokesperson said the department does not comment on pending litigation.