MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Prosecutors have charged three Minneapolis day care centers with billing the state for more children than they serve.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said four people were arrested Tuesday as part of an investigation into fraudulent billing of Minnesota's Child Care Assistance Program.

Authorities say felony charges were filed against Minnesota Child Care Services, Children's Choice Center and Ummah Child Care Services, all in Minneapolis.

Reports say the centers are accused of overbilling the state by claiming they cared for more children than were actually present.

Freeman says the day care operators "cheated big and they got caught." He says the investigation is continuing and that he expects a fourth day care center to be charged.

Representatives of the day cares could not be reached for comment.

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