Probe Finds Scant Proof of Fraud at Minnesota Day Care Centers

As Homeland Security agents were in Minnesota conducting what DHS Secretary Kristi Noem called a “massive investigation into childcare and other rampant fraud,” many of their targets were identified not through FBI tips but via a social media video posted over the weekend, Jonah Kaplan reported for CBS News.

YouTuber Nick Shirley's video has already been viewed more than 1 million times on YouTube and tens of millions more on X. (Photo: Nick Shirley X)

The video, posted by conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley, alleged that nearly a dozen Minnesota day care centers receiving public funds were not actually providing services.

The video has already been viewed more than 1 million times on YouTube and tens of millions more on X, according to platform metrics.

“While we have questions about some of the methods used in the video, we do take the concerns it raises about fraud very seriously,” said Tikki Brown, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

State officials visited some of the sites on Monday and told CBS News that two of the centers featured in the video had already shut down earlier this year, although one later informed the state it plans to remain open.

CBS News reported that of the nearly dozen centers mentioned by Shirley, all but two have active licenses, and all active locations were visited by state regulators within the past six months.

One facility, Sweet Angel Child Care Inc., underwent an unannounced inspection as recently as Dec. 4.

CBS News’ review found dozens of citations related to safety, cleanliness, equipment, and staff training, among other violations, but found no recorded evidence of fraud.