A Southern California couple accused of managing an illegal surrogacy scheme involving at least 21 children were taken into police custody on multiple child abuse charges. Authorities arrested 65-year-old Guojun Xuan and 38-year-old Silvia Zhang following an extensive investigation into allegations of child endangerment, conspiracy to commit child abuse, and witness dissuasion.
The investigation began when a 2-month-old infant was hospitalized with severe cranial injuries. According to prosecutors, Xuan and Zhang operated their own surrogacy business and misrepresented their circumstances to women they recruited as surrogates. Authorities believe Zhang gave birth to one or two of the children and that the remainder were carried by surrogates. The couple allegedly hired nannies to supervise and discipline the children during lengthy periods in makeshift classrooms, with surveillance footage documenting instances of slapping, spanking and other physical punishment. Prosecutors also allege Xuan personally struck at least one child.
A search of the couple’s upscale Arcadia, California home uncovered 15 young children, with six more located at secondary residences. Ranging in age from two months to 13 years old, most of the minors were between ages 1 and 3. Motion-triggered internal security cameras inside the primary home captured nannies repeatedly abusing the infants on a daily basis.
Law enforcement noted that Zhang held valid birth certificates listing her as the mother for every child, while the couple told officers they simply “wanted a large family”. However, state records reveal that a commercial entity registered to their address, Mark Surrogacy Investment LLC, had its corporate license revoked prior to their arrest. Federal authorities are now aiding local investigators to evaluate potential international surrogacy fraud and human trafficking connections.
After the initial police intervention, Zhang publicly defended herself, maintaining that “Any accusations are misguided”. Xuan and Zhang each face a felony count of conspiracy to commit child abuse; Xuan also faces charges of child abuse, being an accessory after the fact and five counts of dissuading a witness, while Zhang faces an accessory charge and four counts of dissuading a witness. A nanny, Chunmei Li, was previously charged with felony child abuse and remains wanted. The couple pleaded not guilty at their arraignment, with the judge setting bail at $20 million each, according to CBS News.
All 21 children were removed from the property and placed into protective state custody while child welfare agencies determine long-term care. The investigation by Arcadia police and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department remains ongoing.
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