Police: Exploited man with special needs found safe

A man with mental disabilities who was reported missing after police said his mom tried to scam him out of his trust fund has been found safe. 

Last Friday, March 22, police found Lee Earnest Longmire, 20, and he appeared to be in good health. 

Investigators said Longmire's mother, Yvonne Longmire, is accused of trying to steal her son's $200,000 trust fund in December. She turned herself into authorities earlier this month. 

Lee Longmire had been missing since before his mother's arrest. 

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According to police, the 58-year-old mother had Maurice Ford, 23, pose as her own son in probate court in December. His job, said Cpl. Rundles, was to convince a Gwinnett County Judge that Lee Longmire was mentally capable of managing his own trust fund.

Investigators said Lee's mother and the fraudulent Lee almost pulled off the perfect plan.

"No one had seen Lee in a long time and the documents they presented were fraudulent documents to make it look like Mr. Ford was actually Mr. Longmire. [Ford] made it seem as if Lee was now living at a higher functionality," said Cpl.Rundles.

The paralegal who has handled the Longmire case for years told FOX 5's Portia Bruner she instantly knew something was wrong in January after an encounter in the lobby of the Lawrenceville law firm.

"Maurice Ford showed up here the law firm to pick up the check and accidentally introduced himself as Maurice, then said 'I'm Lee Longmire," said the paralegal. The paralegal said she quickly did some research the following day to prove to police Maurice Ford did not have the authority to cash the check.

Ford was arrested in Arizona last month. 

Yvonne Longmire surrendered herself to authorities on Friday, March 1, and was booked into the Gwinnett County Detention Center. She's being held without bond. 

According to police, Lee Longmire is now currently staying with family members and doesn't want to be placed in alternate care. 

MORE DETAILS: Mom tried to scam mentally disabled son out of trust fund