Somalis Reportedly Filled Red State Strip Mall With Potentially Fraudulent Childcare Centers

Several Somali-owned daycare facilities, including a cluster located at a strip mall, are being examined by ABC6 Investigates for potential fraud in Columbus, Ohio.

Calls to investigate alleged fraud at Somali-owned childcare centers intensified after a viral video from independent journalist Nick Shirley, who was seen canvassing multiple Somali-run daycare centers accused of fraud in Minnesota. Following the attention, ABC6 Investigates reported Monday that it identified several Somali daycares in northeast Columbus that are now under review.

While the outlet did not name specific facilities or accuse them of wrongdoing, ABC6 Investigates noted that a U-Haul key drop-off was visible at the front door of one center. As the investigation gets underway, the outlet confirmed it requested public records from both Franklin County and the state of Ohio related to public funds, overpayments and potential fraud tied to the identified centers.

Ohio has the second-largest Somali population in the United States after Minnesota, with an estimated 60,000 Somali Americans living in the Columbus area, according to the Ohio Capital Journal.

Interest in the issue has also prompted calls from some Republican lawmakers to investigate the claims. Republican Ohio Rep. Josh Williams