St. Paul, Minnesota — Minnesota regulators say child care centers accused of widespread fraud in a viral social media video were operating normally when inspected.
The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) said Friday that investigators conducted compliance checks at nine child care facilities cited in a video that garnered roughly 3 million views online. Inspectors found children present at all but one location, which had not yet opened for the day, and confirmed the centers were “operating as expected.” Evidence was collected, and further reviews are ongoing at four sites, according to the agency.
The scrutiny followed claims by YouTube creator Nick Shirley, whose video alleging fraud at Somali-run child care centers was amplified by Vice President J.D. Vance and Elon Musk. Federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, have since required additional documentation and audits, while the FBI and Department of Homeland Security continue broader investigations into child care funding.
State officials cautioned that unverified claims and misuse of tip lines can disrupt legitimate investigations and harm families and immigrant communities. DCYF emphasized that fraud determinations must rely on documented evidence, not viral speculation.
One prominent claim alleged that a Minneapolis daycare was fraudulent because its Google listing listed the Minnesota governor’s office phone number. Regulators and independent reviewers later confirmed the number belonged to the state licensing authority and was likely misattributed through automated data scraping, not deception by the provider.
Minnesota officials said they remain committed to fact-based oversight that protects children while avoiding unnecessary disruption driven by misinformation.
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Media Bias Fact Check – Fact vs. Fiction
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