Break-in at Somali-Run Daycare in Minneapolis
A daycare center in Minneapolis, managed by a Somali team, was reportedly vandalized, leading to the disappearance of essential documents, including records about employees and the kids enrolled there.
This incident unfolded against the backdrop of national focus on daycare facilities operated by Somali immigrants in Minnesota, especially in light of serious fraud allegations that have emerged.
Nasrullah Mohamed, the manager of Nokomis Day Care Center, told reporters that the break-in likely occurred between the early hours of 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. on a recent Wednesday night.
Concerns Over Scapegoating in Fraud Investigation
He noted that the building’s door showed signs of forced entry and confirmed that the Minneapolis police are investigating the incident.
Surveillance footage exists, although it’s unclear if it captured the break-in; videos circulating online show the damage done to the wall.
In addition to the vandalism, critical documents related to the nursery’s staff and children were reported stolen, according to Mohamed. He attributed part of the blame to a viral video made by an independent journalist, Nick Shirley, who had visited various nurseries looking for signs of fraudulent activities.
Community Reaction to the Incident
This video, which lasted 42 minutes, went viral quickly and even attracted attention from prominent figures, including President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.
“It’s surprising and disheartening,” Mohamed stated, expressing confusion over why their community was targeted based on a video from a single person. He disclosed the center has received “hateful” and “threatening” communications in recent days, describing the atmosphere as both frightening and exhausting.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (MDHS) has confirmed that Nokomis Day Care Center is licensed and operates well, serving up to 71 children, from infants to preschoolers. While there were earlier complaints regarding nutrition standards and teacher qualifications, those issues have been resolved.
It’s worth mentioning that this daycare was not featured in Shirley’s video, which has sparked concerns over a broader context: up to $1 billion in alleged fraud linked to daycare centers in Minnesota. Several individuals have already faced federal charges in connection with these fraud claims.
Moreover, the Trump administration is probing these alleged fraudulent activities citywide. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced it will halt childcare payments to Minnesota unless the state can prove the validity of these transactions. Minnesota received a hefty $185 million in such payments in 2025, according to HHS.
