local
2 women plead guilty in Minnesota childcare fraud cases
By Joseph Swanson at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 9, 2026
· 1 min read
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2 more guilty pleas in Minnesota fraud casesSentencing dates for the two defendants will be set at a late...
Key takeaway Fahima Egeh Mahamud, 50, of Minneapolis , and Jillaine Mertens, 42, of Hamel, each entered guilty pleas Thursday as part of agreements with prosecutors.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The cases of Fahima Egeh Mahamud and Jillaine Mertens, two women accused of stealing millions in federal funds, have significant implications for the Minneapolis community. Mahamud's alleged theft of $5.5 million from her daycare, Future Leaders, raises questions about the oversight of federal programs designed to support vulnerable populations, including children and families in need. The fact that these programs, such as the Early Intensive Behavioral Development Intervention program for children with autism, were exploited for personal gain is particularly troubling. As the plea agreement hearings approach, residents of Minneapolis and surrounding areas like Hamel will be watching to see how these cases are resolved and what measures will be taken to prevent similar abuses in the future. The outcome of these cases will also impact the community's trust in organizations that receive federal funding to provide essential services.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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2 more guilty pleas in Minnesota fraud casesSentencing dates for the two defendants will be set at a late...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Joseph Swanson at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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