Independent journalists have brought troubling allegations to light regarding potential ghost daycare operations in Columbus, Ohio. This city is notable for housing the second-largest Somali community in the country. Their investigation follows a viral exposé led by YouTuber Nick Shirley in Minnesota, where similar schemes reportedly siphoned billions in federal funds.
The inquiry, conducted by Muckraker’s Anthony and Josh Rubin, began with a visit to the Great Minds Learning Academy on 2909 E 5th Avenue. Their video report, shared on X, showed the team knocking on the facility’s door during business hours, but met with silence. The building was eerily empty and lacked any signs of activity, despite being licensed as a childcare center for children ranging from six weeks to 12 years old, with a capacity for 36 kids.
In the video, Rubin noted the connection to the Somali community, stating, “Right now we are in front of The Great Minds Learning Academy. This is one of many daycare centers… here in Columbus, Ohio, that are associated with the Somali community.” He referenced the significant findings of Shirley, who had previously uncovered a network of fraudulent daycare facilities in Minnesota.
Determined to probe deeper into potential patterns of fraud in Ohio, the journalists pressed on. When they interviewed neighbors, one local resident asserted, “I’ve never seen nobody come out the building or go in the building.” When asked if he had ever observed any children or activities, he confirmed, “No, not at all.” Another neighbor proposed the possibility of a back entrance being used, but the team found no signs of life—no cars, no children, and no evidence of any operational daycare.
This investigation closely follows Shirley’s impactful YouTube series, which exposed numerous Somali-owned daycares in Minnesota that allegedly operated as “ghost” centers. Shirley asserted that these facilities falsely claimed federal reimbursements for children who did not exist while showing no signs of actually providing childcare services. His work gained traction during the Christmas week, reaching a wide audience and prompting a governmental response. He boldly claimed, “We uncovered over $110,000,000 in ONE day,” emphasizing the urgency for accountability toward those he labeled as corrupt politicians and fraudsters.
The fallout from Shirley’s revelations prompted the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security to allocate more resources to Minnesota for comprehensive investigations. These claims are rooted in broader scandals, including the Feeding Our Future case, which has seen nearly 100 individuals charged in an alleged scheme that misappropriated over $250 million intended for feeding children during the pandemic.
Columbus is now grappling with a situation similar to its neighbor Minneapolis, which has faced scrutiny over potential fraud within its Somali community. With over 45,000 Somali migrants, Columbus’s Great Minds Learning Academy is reportedly part of the Somali Education & Resource Center network.
The implications of these findings are serious. If the allegations are proven true, they could reveal a troubling pattern of misuse of public funds designed to support child welfare. The community’s trust in public services and safety for its children may be deeply shaken. Independent investigative journalism is stepping up in these communities, highlighting possible corruption and putting pressure on regulatory bodies to take action.
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