A recent incident at a Minneapolis daycare has raised concerns following the circulation of a viral video that accused local facilities of fraudulent activities. The Nokomis Daycare Center reported significant vandalism, which occurred early in the week. Vandals gained access to the center and stole sensitive information regarding children and staff.
Details of the Vandalism Incident
The break-in took place on Tuesday morning, between 3 and 6 a.m. Vandals entered the daycare by using cinder blocks to break in. Notably, the facility was not named in the viral video that sparked outrage among the community.
Initially, the vandals attempted to enter a nearby Family Dollar store but were unsuccessful. They proceeded directly to the daycare’s office where they accessed confidential records.
Response from Authorities
- Minneapolis police reported that no immediate loss was recorded.
- Later, the daycare’s management contacted authorities with updated information about the incident.
- The Minnesota Department of Human Services confirmed that there are no records of misconduct associated with the daycare.
Background on the Viral Video
The allegations stem from a YouTube video created by right-wing influencer Nick Shirley. In the video, Shirley claims to expose fraud within several daycares in the Minneapolis area. Since its posting, the video has accumulated over 120 million views, prompting significant attention from both the public and government officials.
In response to the video, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a freeze on childcare funding for Minnesota. Deputy HHS Secretary Jim O’Neill called for a comprehensive audit of the daycare facilities featured in the claims.
Verification of Licensing
CBS News and WCCO conducted investigations into the allegations made in Shirley’s video. Their findings revealed that nearly all the daycares cited have active licenses and have undergone state inspections in the last six months. Only two facilities were found lacking in licensing compliance.
Daycare Manager’s Statements
Nasrulah Mohamed, the manager of Nokomis Daycare, stated, “We are not a part of any harmful things being said. Our licensing has been good, even the inspections.” He emphasized resilience against any intimidation resulting from the unfounded allegations.
This situation reflects broader issues within the childcare sector and highlights the potential consequences of unverified claims circulating on social media.
