Southern California couple arrested on multiple child-abuse charges linked to surrogate-born children
Authorities say the Arcadia couple, who had 21 children through surrogacy, subjected the children to repeated physical abuse and face numerous felony charges.
A Southern California couple was arrested Tuesday after a search warrant was executed at their Arcadia mansion as part of a child-abuse investigation. Silvia Zhang and Guojun Xuan have been charged with conspiracy to commit child abuse, witness intimidation and several felony counts, including child abuse and accessory after the fact.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman described the home as a "house of horrors" for the children during a news conference. He said the investigation began after a two-month-old was taken to a hospital with head injuries, which prosecutors allege resulted from a nanny striking the infant on May 4, 2025.
Prosecutors claim the couple operated a surrogacy arrangement from their residence, recruiting women nationwide and providing false information about their family size and marital status. One surrogate was reportedly paid up to $75,000 for each pregnancy, while another received $135,000 after being told the couple sought a "miracle baby."
According to the district attorney, the children were monitored by 32 motion-activated cameras placed throughout the house. Video evidence allegedly shows nannies disciplining children in three rooms the couple called "learning rooms," with Xuan observed laughing as a child was forced into a horse-stance position. In another clip, Xuan is said to have instructed a nanny to strike a child harder, and to have physically beaten a child on the buttocks and head.
Hochman said the abuse occurred daily and that a room without cameras was used to isolate children who could be heard screaming. He added that the couple attempted to conceal the abuse by directing the children to lie and telling nannies not to leave visible marks.
Sheriff Robert G. Luna characterized the treatment of the children as "horrific abuse." Fifteen children were removed from the home last year, and six others were placed with relatives or friends. The couple is expected to be arraigned, and prosecutors are seeking $100 million bail. An arrest warrant has also been issued for a nanny seen on video shaking the infant, though that individual has not yet been taken into custody.