A California couple, Silvia Zhang and Guojun Xuan, were arrested on child abuse charges tied to a surrogacy scheme involving at least 21 children, with prosecutors describing the case as a house of horrors
and seeking $100 million bail each.
The couple, who reside in Arcadia, California, faces conspiracy to commit child abuse and witness intimidation charges after authorities uncovered alleged physical abuse of children born via surrogacy, some as young as two months old. The investigation began in May 2025 after a 2-month-old infant was hospitalized with a head injury, reportedly caused by a nanny shaking the child. Police later raided their mansion, removing 15 children from the home and locating six others elsewhere, with all 21 now in state custody.
Charges and Allegations
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman described the case as “unprecedented,” alleging that Xuan and Zhang directed nannies to physically punish children, monitored abuse via 32 motion-activated cameras, and coached children to lie to investigators. One nanny, Chunmei Li, is sought for allegedly striking the 2-month-old infant, while Xuan is accused of instructing nannies to strike the child harder
and even participating in beatings. Hochman stated the couple knew and did nothing
about the abuse, with children subjected to horrific punishment and beatings.
The couple’s attorney, Mitchell Krems, denied the allegations, claiming Xuan intervened swiftly
and fired the nanny responsible. Krems argued the charges were “absurd” given the type of charges
and emphasized his client’s constitutional right to have a large family.
However, prosecutors highlighted the couple’s alleged deception, including misrepresenting their family size to surrogates.
Prosecutors said the couple misled surrogates, telling some they could not conceive and others they only had one child and wanted one more. At least eight women claimed they received misleading or incomplete information, with one Texas surrogate, Kayla Elliott, seeking custody of the baby she carried for the couple, alleging she was misled about their circumstances.
The couple’s mansion in Arcadia, described as a $4 million property, had 32 motion-activated cameras monitoring learning centers
where children were allegedly subjected to repeated physical punishment. One video captured a 2-month-old infant crying, followed by a thud, then silence, with police stating the child was shaken. Chunmei Li, the nanny allegedly responsible, remains at large and is believed to have fled to China.
Bail and Legal Proceedings
Initially, prosecutors sought $100 million bail per person, citing the severity of the charges and concerns about flight risks. However, a judge reduced the bail to $20 million each, with home detention and a protective order barring the couple from contacting their children. A bail review hearing is scheduled for Monday. Xuan faces up to 17 years and four months in prison, while Zhang faces up to 11 years and eight months if convicted.
They have over 200 personal and 70 corporate bank accounts with annual transfers of $250 million, according to Deputy District Attorney MacKenzie Teymouri.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed the arrests to CBS News, stating the couple was taken into custody during a joint operation with the sheriff’s department and the FBI. The FBI also served a search warrant at the home, separate from the sheriff’s department’s investigation. The couple are under scrutiny for allegedly using fake passports to create bank accounts. Authorities removed 15 children from the mansion last year and located six others elsewhere, with all 21 now in state custody.
Surrogacy Scheme and Public Reaction
The case has sparked scrutiny of California’s surrogacy laws, which are considered surrogacy-friendly
due to clear regulations requiring legal contracts. However, prosecutors argued the couple exploited the system, misleading surrogates about their family size and intentions. One surrogate, Maria Castellanos, expressed frustration, stating, I trusted Silvia,
while another, Kayla Elliott, sought custody of a child she carried for the couple, alleging she was misled about their circumstances.
Prosecutors emphasized the “despicable” nature of the abuse, with children subjected to physical abuse, beating, and punishment.
Hochman called the couple’s home a house of horrors,
where children were allegedly forced into learning centers
under the supervision of nannies. Surveillance footage reportedly showed children screaming in rooms without cameras, while others were instructed to deny abuse during police visits.
Authorities also alleged the couple coached children to lie about the abuse, with one instance involving a nanny who was told to not leave any physical marks. When police arrived, the children were instructed to deny being beaten. The couple’s attorney, Mitchell Krems, denied the allegations, stating Xuan fired the nanny, excised her from the house.
Krems added that Xuan is being targeted for exercising his constitutional right to have a large family.
Defense and Ongoing Investigations
Xuan’s attorney, Mitchell Krems, argued the couple’s actions were rooted in altruism rather than self-indulgence, aiming to help their children become educated philosophers, physicians, researchers, and inventors to contribute to society.
A federal investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining the case. The case has drawn national attention. All 21 children remain in state custody.
The couple, who married in 2021, are accused of conspiring to subject 15 of the 16 children living in the home to repeated physical abuse. Prosecutors said the number of children subjected to abuse is “unprecedented.” The couple operated Mark Surrogacy from their home, and prosecutors said the couple misled surrogates.
Chunmei Li, the nanny allegedly responsible for the 2-month-old’s head injury, remains at large, with investigators believing she fled to Tijuana, Mexico, and then China. A $105,000 arrest warrant remains outstanding for her. The couple’s attorney, Mitchell Krems, stated that any general accusation that his client is abusive in any way whatsoever is categorically false.