California Couple Charged With Abusing 14 Surrogate‑Born Children

Wed Oct 07 2026 13:19:48 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A pair in Arcadia face multiple counts of child abuse after prosecutors allege they beat and mistreated 14 children at their home.

Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang were arrested Tuesday for brutally abusing surrogate‑born children at their Arcadia mansion. Prosecutors say the pair threatened witnesses and used an array of cameras to monitor abusive discipline by nannies, some of whom have faced their own criminal suspensions. At least 14 children—ranging from two months to thirteen years—were taken into state custody, with 15 removed during a July raid. The defendants pleaded not guilty and face up to 17 years in prison if convicted.

California Couple Charged With Abusing 14 Surrogate‑Born Children

Guojun Xuan, 66, and Silvia Zhang, 39, were arrested on Tuesday at their Arcadia mansion on a charge of repeatedly assaulting children born through their surrogacy business. Prosecutors allege the pair abused at least 14 children, some as young as two months, and threatened a potential witness.

The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office describes the case as “unprecedented.” The couple’s lawyers have pleaded not guilty and claim the allegations are a mischaracterisation.

During the investigation, police uncovered “learning centres” staffed by multiple nannies and roughly 32 motion‑activated cameras in the home. Footage reportedly shows the nannies slapping the children, while the alleged abuse of a two‑month‑old boy prompted a hospital visit after an alleged “bed fall.”

A prior raid in July 2025 led to the removal of 21 children, most between one and three years old. All are now in state custody.

If convicted, Xuan faces up to 17 years, and Zhang up to 11 years. The nanny, Chunmei Li, has a separate felony charge and an arrest warrant for a pending case.

Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang in a courtroom — Getty Images: Xuan and Zhang in a Pasadena courthouse, 2026

Advocates for surrogate parents have called the case a reminder that the system can be abused. Ms. Melissa Brisman, an attorney for two surrogate mothers, said, “This is wonderful news that people will be held responsible.”