Columbus, OH, has the second-largest Somali population, right behind Minneapolis.
One local media outlet launched an investigation, prompting one lawmaker to ask the Ohio Department of Children and Youth to probe all publicly funded daycare centers.
Before I go any further, I need to say that this is not a time to be reactive or hyperbolic. I see the usual content pushers on social media getting all hyper and pushing out anything and everything.
No need for hyperbole. These people see an opportunity to get on TV and have their name everywhere. So I will provide as much information as I can because I’m finding conflicting information.
ABC6 said it received viewer requests to investigate daycares in Columbus after hearing about the mess in Minnesota.
The investigative team “identified several daycare facilities, including a series of centers located in the same strip mall.”
One daycare facility has “a U-Haul key drop-off at its front door.”
ABC6 requested information from Franklin County and the state “regarding public funds, overpayments, and potential fraud within daycare centers.”
Muckraker.com also walked the streets of Columbus, OH, to investigate Somali-affiliated daycare centers.
The reporter asked people across the street from the Great Minds Learning Center about the daycare.
The man said, “I’ve never seen nobody come out the building or go in the building.”
Another man has also never seen anyone go in or out of the building. However, the man said, “They use the back door.”
The reporter knocked on the door and rang the doorbell. No one answered. The door was locked.
The reporter goes to the back of the building and….there’s nothing there.
However, The Columbus Dispatch reported:
The day care in question is not registered as a publicly funded day care according to DYC records. However, it has a Ohio PROMISE Program designation, meaning it is credentialed to care for children with special needs and can receive reimbursements from the state. The program has a “gold” Step Up To Quality rating, the highest designation for day care providers.According to an unannounced inspection, which was conducted in November 2025 and lasted for eight hours, 87 children were enrolled there and there was a 3-to-8 instructor to pupil ratio for the youngest age group and a 1-to-14 instructor to pupil ratio for the oldest, school-age group. The inspection found no serious-risk compliance issues, two moderate compliance risks and 14 low-risk compliance issues.The Dispatch contacted the day care but has not heard back.
Independent journalist Thomas Hern decided to stop by the Somali-run Binati Childcare Two in Columbus on Tuesday.
A group of men accosted Hern, calling him a terrorist for asking questions.
How did Republican Gov. Mike DeWine respond to the allegations?
“This is something that is unfortunately the cost of doing business.”
Yup:
Dan Tierney, spokesperson for DeWine, said it’s “not accurate that we’re seeing any sort of surge” but the governor’s office is taking note of the public interest in the issue.”If people are out there who could not contemplate that people were trying to defraud the public through day care centers, I understand it’s new to them … but it’s been known to the state for decades,” Tierney said. “So therefore, we have robust anti-fraud measures to try and stop this, this is something that is unfortunately the cost of doing business.”Tierney declined to comment on the allegations primarily circulating around Somali immigrants.
State Representative Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Township) sent a letter, co-signed by 42 colleagues, to the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, demanding a thorough review of all publicly funded daycare centers.
“These allegations raise serious concerns regarding program integrity, the responsible use of taxpayer dollars, and the overall credibility of Ohio’s publicly funded childcare system,” said Williams. “Unannounced inspections are an essential tool to identify violations, deter fraudulent practices, and reinforce confidence in the oversight of publicly funded programs.”
The representatives request:
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY