Once-Homeless Georgia Student Says Fundraising Questions Are Answered

BARNESVILLE, GA — A once-homeless college student whose story inspired many before becoming clouded with questions says concerns about funds raised for his education have been addressed.

Fred Barley's feel-good story began last month, when police officers found him living in a tent on the campus of Gordon State College, about an hour south of Atlanta in Barnesville.

Barley told them he had ridden his bike six hours from Conyers to register for classes. The officers used their own money to put him up in a hotel and citizens like Barnesville's Casey Blaney, who launched a GoFundMe campaign in his name, rallied to further help him.

But last week, Blaney asked that the nearly $184,000 the campaign raised be frozen, saying questions had come up about Barley's story.

On Monday, Barley posted to Facebook saying concerns that led to the campaign being flagged for an inquiry by GoFundMe have been addressed.

"So I have some great news for everyone that has been following the story," he wrote.

Barley said in the post that his attorney contacted an attorney for Blaney and "has come to terms so both parties are happy."

He said that, under the agreement they reached, he'll be able to use money from the fund for both living expenses and college tuition.

"Together, my attorney and her attorney are working cooperatively to ensure that all assets donated go strictly to me and in a trust that I agree with," Barley wrote. "Thank you everyone for your prayers and standing behind me through everything. God makes a way."

Blaney has not publicly addressed the agreement.

Since last week, the "Success For Fred" Facebook page she runs has been shut down, with comments blocked and only her most recent post visible.

"We're grateful for the outpouring of support and we'll continue to work with everyone to ensure the funds are managed appropriately," she said in that post, from last Wednesday.

A spokesman for GoFundMe, Bobby Whithorne, confirmed Tuesday that the account has been unfrozen and said that, as soon as the trust for Barley is established, money will be transferred to it.

Barley is now living in the dormitories at Gordon State and has a job working in the kitchen of a local restaurant.