Minneapolis Daycare Break-in Tied to Viral Video Alleging Somali Center Fraud

A Minneapolis daycare center, Nokomis Day Care Center, reported a break-in and theft of sensitive records just days after a viral YouTube video accused Somali-run childcare facilities in Minnesota of widespread fraud. The incident occurred between 3 am and 6 am on Tuesday, with staff reporting signs of forced entry, according to the Minneapolis Police Department. The center's manager, Nasrulah Mohamed, said documents like employee files, enrollment records, and check-related documents were stolen, leaving the daycare in a state of devastation. Mohamed attributed the targeting of the daycare to the viral video by independent journalist Nick Shirley, which has garnered millions of views and sparked online backlash. The center received hateful and threatening messages after the video's release. Nokomis Day Care Center, which is licensed to care for up to 71 children, has operated without serious compliance issues since its inception in 2016. The center had minor violations in October, which were corrected. The incident comes as federal prosecutors charge dozens of individuals in large-scale fraud cases in the state, and the US Department of Health and Human Services freezes certain childcare payments to Minnesota, pending proof of legitimate use. The investigation into the burglary remains ongoing, with no arrests announced.