Withheld federal funds prompted by daycare fraud claims could impact Ohio in 8-10 weeks

Описание: MORE: https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local...

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has spoken out against a social media trend targeting Somali-owned daycares in an attempt to detect fraud. Videos have gone viral showing influencers visiting these daycares, which are publicly funded, to check for children inside. This trend began in Minnesota and has spread to Columbus, Ohio. One such daycare in northeast Columbus, which opened last October, has not yet received public funds despite being targeted.

Gov. DeWine emphasized that fraud detection does not occur by knocking on random daycare doors. He said plans are in place at daycares to keep students safe and strangers out.

"So there shouldn't be a shock when someone, you see something on social media, and someone is going, 'I can't get into this place. No one will let me in.'" Gov. DeWine told reporter Monday. "Well, hell no! No one should let them in."

The governor noted that the state received 124 fraud referrals in all of last year. Since the social media trend, 26 tips have been submitted in the first five days of 2026. These tips prompt unannounced inspections by state agents. Due to last year's tips, the governor said 12 daycare centers have been closed, and $2 million has been identified in "overpayments" to another 61 daycare centers. ABC6 Investigates has asked for all of 2025's fraud referrals, along with closure orders and overpayment notices.

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