Somali Child Care Center Targeted in Burglary Amid Minnesota Fraud Investigations

A Minneapolis child care center operated by Somali immigrants reported a burglary this week, during which “important documents” were stolen as Minnesota faces intensifying scrutiny over alleged fraud in human services programs funded by state and federal governments.

Nasrulah Mohamed, manager of Nakomis Day Care Center, stated that a suspect broke into the building on Tuesday night, entering through a rear kitchen area, damaging a wall and forcing entry into the office. The intruder reportedly took children’s enrollment records, employee files, and checkbooks.

Mohamed linked the break-in to heightened attention following a viral video posted after Christmas by YouTuber Nick Shirley, who visited several Minnesota child care sites questioning whether fraud was occurring. While Nakomis Day Care Center was not included in the video, Mohamed said the center has received hateful and threatening messages in recent days.

“This is devastating news,” Mohamed stated at a press conference. He described the past week as “frightening and exhausting” and emphasized that claims circulating online about the center are false.

Minneapolis police have launched an investigation into the burglary but have not publicly identified a suspect or announced a motive.

The incident occurs as state and federal officials broaden investigations into alleged large-scale fraud in food, housing, and child care assistance programs across Minnesota. Federal prosecutors and other officials estimate potential losses could total billions, though state leaders have disputed some of the largest figures while acknowledging significant fraud cases.

On Tuesday night, the Trump administration announced it would freeze federal child care funding sent to Minnesota until the state can demonstrate legal compliance with program usage. The annual funding amounts to approximately $185 million according to federal officials and published reports. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz criticized the move as politically motivated, stating that the state has been actively combating fraud.

The controversy has also drawn national political attention to Minnesota’s Somali American community, with prosecutors and lawmakers calling for strengthened oversight and audits of high-risk programs. Officials have stressed that fraud investigations target alleged criminal conduct only and not any ethnic or religious group.

In a social media post reacting to the burglary report, President Donald Trump wrote: “A total FRAUD!”

Mohamed expressed hope that investigators would recover the stolen documents and identify the perpetrator, noting that the center continues serving families while reviewing security protocols and advising parents and staff about potential information compromises.

State officials have indicated they are cooperating with federal investigators and implementing enhanced monitoring of child care assistance payments, including verification steps tied to attendance, licensing, and billing.