MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Minnesota state officials are responding to widespread attention generated by a viral video alleging fraud within the state’s childcare assistance system, including claims involving several licensed daycare facilities in Minneapolis.

The video, created by conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley, has accumulated tens of millions of views on social media, drawing national attention and prompting scrutiny from state and federal authorities.

🚨 Here is the full 42 minutes of my crew and I exposing Minnesota fraud, this might be my most important work yet. We uncovered over $110,000,000 in ONE day. Like it and share it around like wildfire! Its time to hold these corrupt politicians and fraudsters accountable

We ALL… pic.twitter.com/E3Penx2o7a— Nick shirley (@nickshirleyy) December 26, 2025

One of the facilities highlighted in the video was the Quality “Learing” Center—notably misspelled on exterior signage—which Shirley portrayed as appearing vacant despite allegedly receiving significant public funding.

In the video, Shirley questioned the apparent absence of children inside the facility, suggesting it was part of a broader pattern of fraud involving taxpayer-funded daycare centers.

The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), which administers federal Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funds, acknowledged the concerns raised by the video while cautioning about the methods used in its production.

“While we have questions about some of the methods that were used in the video, we do take the concerns about fraud very seriously,” said Tikki Brown, Commissioner of DCYF.

Commissioner Brown confirmed that state inspectors conducted follow-up visits to the daycare centers featured in the video earlier this week to verify compliance and confirm that children were present.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security also conducted checks at some of the Minneapolis locations mentioned.

According to Brown, state inspection records show that all of the daycares featured in the video—except one—hold active licenses and continue to receive childcare assistance payments.

She stated that inspectors had visited each of those centers within the past six months and found no substantiated evidence of fraud.

Brown confirmed that the Quality “Learing” Center, which drew particular attention due to its signage and appearance in the video, permanently closed last week. The facility had previously ceased operations years earlier, according to the department.

However, conflicting accounts emerged shortly afterward. Local media observed dozens of children being dropped off at the site, and parents stated the daycare was still operating.

A man identifying himself as the facility’s manager told reporters the center was legitimate and functioning normally.

A nearby resident described the sudden activity as unusual, saying the location had long appeared inactive.

“We’ve never seen kids go in there until today. That parking lot is empty all the time. I was under the impression that place was permanently closed,” the resident said.

Ibrahim Ali, who identified himself as the son of the owner and the center’s manager, stated that Shirley’s visit occurred before the daycare opened for the day.

He said the facility operates Monday through Thursday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and claimed that approximately 16 children were present inside the center later that afternoon.

Ali denied allegations of fraud and said the business had not been named in any federal investigation.

Another employee who opened the facility on Monday strongly rejected the claims, stating:

“We don’t have fraud. That’s a lie. I don’t want to talk—I want to talk to my lawyer.”

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families confirmed there are currently 55 active investigations statewide related to the Child Care Assistance Program. Officials emphasized that not all investigations result in findings of fraud and that each case is reviewed individually.

State leaders reiterated that the situation remains under review and that any confirmed violations would be addressed through appropriate legal and administrative channels.

This remains a developing issue, and authorities say additional information will be released as investigations continue.