A manager at a Minneapolis daycare centre, who called a press conference to announce a break-in, has found himself at the centre of controversy after observers noted he was wearing designer glasses valued at around $2,500.
Burglary Claims and YouTube Allegations
Nasrulah Mohamed, a manager at the Nokomis Daycare Center, stated on Wednesday that the facility had been burgled. He claimed that enrolment documents, staff paperwork, and chequebooks were stolen after a wall was "destroyed." Mohamed directly linked the incident to a viral video by YouTube commentator Nick Shirley, who has alleged that some Somali-run daycare centres in the city are fronts for defrauding taxpayer-funded programmes.
The Minneapolis Police Department confirmed a break-in at the address, though an initial report found nothing missing. A subsequent report later detailed the items Mohamed said were taken. Mohamed emphasised that he and his centre have received threatening messages since Shirley's video was released.
Public Backlash and Community Plea
At the same press conference, a mother who uses the centre, Sacdiya Aden, made an emotional plea for government support. Speaking through an interpreter, Amina Adin, Aden said her children were now too scared to attend and urged authorities to stop the "heinous crime and this hate." Her decision to speak in her native Somali language attracted significant online criticism and mockery.
Supporters standing behind her held signs reading 'Racism has NO place in childcare' and 'No childcare = No workforce'. Meanwhile, other observers questioned Mohamed's choice of eyewear, identified as Chrome Hearts Cox Ucker Black frames, though some noted cheaper replicas exist.
Wider Scandal and Funding Freeze
The incident occurs against the backdrop of a massive fraud scandal in Minnesota, where more than 80 Somali residents have been charged with defrauding state childcare subsidy programmes. In response, the federal Department of Health and Human Services has frozen childcare funding for the state.
Deputy HHS Secretary Jim O'Neill announced on X that all payments now require detailed justification and evidence. He stated the administration had "turned off the money spigot" and was seeking a comprehensive audit, crediting "Nick Shirley's excellent work" for helping identify suspects.
The Nokomis centre, licensed for up to 71 children, has a record of only minor violations from its last inspection in October. Shirley's video, which did not feature Nokomis specifically, showed him visiting apparently empty Somali-run centres, questioning their operations. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing at Nokomis or by Mohamed.
The controversy has ignited a fierce debate, with some conservatives questioning taxpayer funding for daycare, while working parents and community advocates warn that cutting support will devastate families who rely on these essential services.
