The emergence of a video by Cam Higby has sparked significant concern over the operations of “Hilowle Safia Daycare” in Washington State, a facility that has allegedly received nearly $1 million in taxpayer funds. Higby’s footage raises serious questions about the legitimacy of the daycare, as it reportedly shows little to no activity consistent with a functioning childcare provider. The video has gone viral, amplifying calls for scrutiny into daycare fraud schemes that have allegedly infiltrated businesses primarily run by Somali-Americans across various states.
Residents in the area have echoed similar disbelief. One individual in Higby’s video claimed, “There is no daycare here,” highlighting the lack of visible signs that children or legitimate childcare services were actually present. Public records reveal that “Hilowle Safia Daycare” has received over $980,000 from government childcare subsidies since 2017, designed to assist low-income families. Yet, the absence of operational evidence raises troubling questions about how such funds were disbursed without proper oversight.
This situation is part of a broader pattern of alleged fraud involving similar daycare operations, many of which are linked to the Somali-American community. Investigative reports have highlighted that dozens of daycare facilities, from Minnesota to Washington State, may have exploited these public assistance programs without providing any legitimate services. Federal prosecutors in Minnesota have already made significant progress in their investigation, with at least 92 individuals charged related to fraudulent claims, 82 of whom are Somali-Americans. This has led many to draw parallels with organized fraud networks.
In Minnesota, a young YouTuber initially uncovered these issues, drawing the attention of lawmakers and the public alike. Rep. Tom Emmer commented on the situation, stating, “It’s amazing to me that a 23-year-old journalist found more in a matter of hours than our state government has uncovered in seven years.” His video has reportedly invigorated further investigations and scrutiny into the practices surrounding childcare subsidies.
As attention turned to Washington, investigative journalist Carleen Johnson conducted inquiries into Somali-run daycares in Federal Way. Her findings echoed previous allegations: no children were in attendance, and staff members appeared evasive. “There were no children present. This did not at all appear to be a legit childcare center receiving WA taxpayer subsidies,” she reported online, alluding to a broader epidemic of questionable daycare operations. During her investigations, she faced hostility, with threats of police action and aggressive interactions from residents worried about exposure.
Inland Auditing Media corroborated these findings, visiting multiple daycare centers across Seattle and discovering most had no signs of children or any operational activity. Their summary promised a detailed report, yet it raises urgent questions about the overall accountability in the childcare system. Systemic deficiencies in oversight from the Washington Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), which is tasked with licensing and inspecting daycare facilities, are becoming harder to deny. Despite mounting evidence, the DCYF has yet to take any enforcement action, leading to accusations of bureaucratic negligence.
The political implications of these investigations also deserve attention. Lawmakers responsible for oversight have not publicly commented amid escalating public outcry. Governor Bob Ferguson’s recent remarks on education and childcare funding have conspicuously avoided the issue of fraud, prompting skepticism regarding the management of taxpayer resources when faced with such potential misuse.
Critics express concern that fraudulent operations might also be siphoning public funds toward political contributions, particularly to Somali-American candidates in Washington. Such potential overlaps could signal a troubling misuse of taxpayer dollars for campaign financing, raising red flags among constituents.
Community responses to these allegations have been mixed. Some Somali leaders defend their community against what they view as unfair scrutiny. Abdi Jama, a local leader, stated, “Those are isolated incidents… it is being elevated just because of the rhetoric from the President and this administration.” Others, like Nafisa Samatar from the Somali Independent Business Alliance, voiced fears of unintended consequences for legitimate businesses due to the current investigations. “As a Somali and as a small business owner, we are really scared. People are afraid,” she lamented.
The tone surrounding these investigations remains charged, as evidenced by the online response to Higby’s video. While some celebrate his investigative efforts, others fear the broader implications for the Somali-American community. Concerns about systemic abuse of public funds are growing louder, with one Federal Way resident stating, “Taxpayers are footing the bill, and what are we getting in return—ghost businesses and bureaucrats looking the other way?”
The broader ramifications of these fraudulent activities extend beyond just a few daycare centers. If the ongoing investigations uncover widespread malpractice, the financial impact on taxpayers could escalate into tens of millions of dollars lost. As Washington aims for increased investment in childcare, revelations of this magnitude could severely damage public confidence and support for new initiatives.
As citizen journalists and whistleblowers continue to expose these issues, the demand for reform in oversight is intensifying. Johnson expressed a sentiment that captures the urgency of the moment: “I’m not anti-immigrant. I’m anti-fraud. What’s happening here is theft hiding behind culture. And it’s time someone did something about it.” This crisis in public trust surrounding childcare operations calls for immediate attention, making it imperative that authorities act decisively to restore accountability and integrity in the system.
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