Minnesota officials claim nine child care centers mentioned in viral video ‘operating as expected’

The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families said Friday that nine of the childcare centers in the state that were mentioned in a viral video late last month are “operating as expected.” 

Conservative independent reporter Nick Shirley shared the video on YouTube, which showed in-person visits to nearly a dozen licensed childcare centers in Minneapolis that appeared empty despite receiving state grants. 

The Minnesota department said officials with the state’s Office of Inspector General conducted compliance checks this week as part of an “ongoing commitment to oversight,” and found children were present for eight of the nine inspections.

Children were not present for one inspection because the location was not open at the time that inspectors visited the site.

“Investigators confirmed the centers were operating as expected, gathered evidence and initiated further review,” the state agency said in its release, according to CBS News. 

The nine facilities also received funding from Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program in fiscal year 2025, which ranged from $471,787 to $3.68 million. Future Leaders Early Learning Center received the highest stipend. 

Officials are additionally still investigating four of the nine facilities, though the department has not disclosed which of sites are under investigation or what they are being investigated for.

The investigations come as the state is embroiled in a fraud scandal tied to its welfare programs. The Trump administration has pulled funding for the state over the fraud allegations, which have been going on for years.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.