NEW: Potential Somali Daycare Fraud Uncovered In Another Major Blue City

Washington state child care providers are facing fresh scrutiny after a viral video alleging widespread fraud at Minnesota daycares set off a wave of online investigations probing similar patterns across the country.

The latest focus has landed on the Evergreen State, where a Seattle-based independent researcher says public records raise red flags about who is receiving state child care subsidies.

According to a series of posts on X by Kristen Mag, roughly 10 percent of Washington’s licensed child care centers that qualify for state funding appear to be Somali-run, despite Somalis making up an estimated 0.2 percent of the state’s population.

“There are 539 childcare centers in Washington state that list Somali as the primary language,” Mag wrote Sunday. “Most don’t even give a street address.”

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families, which regulates and funds child care providers, was contacted for comment outside normal business hours.

There are 539 childcare centers in Washington state that list Somali as the primary language. Most don’t even give a street address.

I don’t know how many of these are submitting fraudulent claims for state grants and subsidies, but I have a strong hunch the number is not zero. pic.twitter.com/FoUQiFNqM6

— Kristen Mag (@kristenmag) December 28, 2025

The scrutiny follows intense attention on Minnesota, where daycares have become ground zero for internet sleuths and independent journalists hunting what they believe is widespread abuse of taxpayer-funded programs. A federal prosecutor there recently said as much as $9 billion in federal grants may have been misappropriated since 2018, though state officials dispute that figure.

Past investigations have already exposed massive fraud, including the Feeding Our Future case in Minnesota, where hundreds of millions of dollars intended to feed children during the pandemic were siphoned off, according to the Department of Justice.

Interest surged after a 42-minute video posted Friday by YouTuber Nick Shirley showed him visiting apparently inactive daycare facilities across Minnesota that were receiving millions in public funds. Staff at one location disputed his claims, saying he arrived outside operating hours. Minnesota officials said inspections had not found widespread fraud but pledged follow-up visits.

Inspired by that footage, Mag searched Washington’s Department of Children, Youth and Families database, filtering for facilities listing Somali as their primary language and participating in the state’s Early Achievers program, which qualifies providers for subsidies.

Repeating that search yields fewer centers than Mag initially reported, about 274 instead of 539. But many listings still omit basic information such as full street addresses and operating hours. State records show active licenses and recent inspections for most of the locations reviewed.

Mag’s posts exploded online, drawing millions of views and reposts from high-profile figures including Sen. Ted Cruz and Elon Musk.

“I don’t know how many of these are submitting fraudulent claims for state grants and subsidies, but I have a strong hunch the number is not zero,” Mag wrote.

Musk replied bluntly: “They are fraud-maxxing this exploit.”

Minnesota officials said Monday they are taking the viral allegations seriously and have sent inspectors back into the field. Washington officials have not announced similar actions.

For now, no charges have been filed in Washington or Ohio, and authorities have not confirmed wrongdoing tied to the new allegations. But with federal investigators already circling Minnesota, the spotlight on taxpayer-funded child care programs appears far from fading.

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