DeWine releases statement on anti-fraud measures for Ohio taxpayer-funded daycares
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine defended the state’s anti-fraud framework for taxpayer-funded childcare programs during the waning hours of 2025 amid rising concerns following high-profile allegations of fraud in Minnesota’s childcare system and recent investigations into Ohio daycare centers.
DeWine’s office has not specifically responded to requests from Ohio.News about the fraud allegations. The statement also follows a spokesman’s comments to The Columbus Dispatch that fraud “is something that is unfortunately the cost of doing business.”
“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,” spokesperson Dan Tierney told the outlet. “So therefore, we have robust anti-fraud measures to try and stop this, this is something that is unfortunately the cost of doing business.”
In the statement, DeWine emphasized Ohio’s longstanding efforts to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of public funds, while acknowledging the potential for abuse inherent in an extensive system.
“There are almost 5,200 state-funded childcare facilities in Ohio. With that number of facilities, there is certainly the potential for fraud,” he said.
He also noted that Ohio’s payment model — which reimburses providers based on attendance, not enrollment — is a critical safeguard, designed to ensure public dollars are disbursed only for days when children are actually in care.
DeWine also outlined multiple anti-fraud measures employed by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, such as requiring personal identification numbers with photo confirmation or location-specific QR codes to verify attendance; conducting unannounced health, safety, and financial management reviews; and using monthly cross-department data analytics to “identify fraud, waste, and misuse” of funds.
Encouraging public engagement, DeWine highlighted the DCY online reporting tool, through which citizens can submit tips about suspected fraud, adding that in 2025, the department logged 124 public referrals, with 61 leading to overpayments being repaid and 12 programs ultimately closed.
The DCY also committed to implementing additional safeguards, including random monthly case reviews and targeted reviews of high-risk practices.
DeWine also addressed specific online concerns about a Columbus daycare facility.
“This address has caused concern on social media because the Google Maps image of the address shows a tobacco shop and not a childcare facility,” he said, explaining that an inspection confirmed the childcare center had allegedly opened after the map image was captured.
The Columbus Dispatch reported that Columbus police have responded to at least three calls about a viral trend of people visiting day cares in Columbus amid the Minnesota scandal.
Sgt. Joe Albert, a Columbus police spokesperson, said the department was aware of the trend circulating on social media and urged the public to report concerns.
“The Division remains committed to the safety and well-being of all Columbus residents and communities, and encourages the public to report any concerns through the appropriate channels,” he said.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther’s spokesperson, Jennifer Lockrey, also said residents should call the police if others are trespassing or harassing them at daycares.
Meanwhile, a group of Republican state lawmakers led by state Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Twp., formally urged the DCY to conduct unannounced inspections of daycares receiving public funds, raising concerns that “certain childcare facilities participating in publicly funded childcare programs are fraudulently billing the State of Ohio for children who are not actually in attendance.”
