Somali daycare in Minnesota reports overnight break-in, key documents stolen

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: A break-in at a Somali-run daycare center in Minneapolis is being questioned by police. The daycare authorities claim that nothing was stolen but 'important documents' were taken.  

The claim comes as Minnesota stays under scrutiny for a large human services fraud investigation. The daycare centers have drawn attention, especially those run by Somali immigrants, after several people were charged with misusing public funds.

Nakomis Day Care Center was not featured in the viral video by journalist Nick Shirley, who exposed the fraud in the state.

Minneapolis daycare claims vandalism after fraud video gains attention

Nasrulah Mohamed, the manager of Nakomis Day Care Center, said a suspect entered through the kitchen at the back of the building early Tuesday, December 30, as per CBS News. According to Mohamed, the intruder damaged a wall and forced entry into the office area.

He claimed the person made off with 'important documentation,' including children’s enrollment records, employee files, and checkbooks. Police accounts differ drastically. A basic report from the Minneapolis Police Department stated that 'no loss was reported to officers.' 

Authorities later said the daycare reached out again with more information, but an updated police report was not available. A video shared by Nakomis Day Care shows a hole cut into a wall, with stacked cinder blocks visible behind the drywall.

The center also alleged the intruders may have first tried to break into a neighboring Family Dollar store by cutting through a door, before moving on to the daycare. Mohamed linked the incident to a video released last week by Shirley, who visited several day care centers.

Interestingly, Nakomis Day Care Center was not among the locations shown in the video. “This is devastating news, and we don’t know why this is targeting our Somali community as one video made by a specific individual made this all happen,” Mohamed said, as per The New York Post. He also claimed the center has received 'hateful' and 'threatening' messages in recent days.

Minneapolis police later clarified, “No loss was (initially) reported to officers, but late this morning the original reporting party reached out to MPD with additional information about the case, including the loss.”

“We are not a part of any harmful things that are being said,” Mohamed said. “Our licensing has been good, even the inspections. I want to say no intimidation is going to stop us.” He described the situation as overwhelming, “This is frightening and exhausting,” and called Shirley’s reporting 'false.'

Nick Shirley’s Minnesota fraud expose

Federal investigators say at least $1 billion in fraud tied to food, housing, and child care programs has already been uncovered in Minnesota, with the true total potentially reaching $9 billion, as per The New York Times. 

The issue grew after Nick Shirley posted a YouTube video showing several day care centers he claimed were empty, even though they received public funds.

On Wednesday, December 31, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) froze Minnesota’s child care funding, citing Shirley’s allegations. Deputy HHS Secretary Jim O’Neill ordered a 'comprehensive audit' of the facilities named in the video.