Understand
California couple charged with abusing at least 14 surrogate-born children
Overview
Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang have been charged in California with multiple counts of abusing at least 14 surrogate-born children and dissuading a witness. The couple, who ran their own surrogacy company, were arrested at their Arcadia mansion after an investigation was launched when a two-month-old boy was brought to hospital with a head injury. Authorities subsequently removed 21 children from their custody. A nanny, Chunmei Li, has also been charged in connection with the case.
Key points
- Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang were arrested at their Arcadia mansion and pleaded not guilty to charges including child abuse.
- The investigation began in May 2025 after Zhang brought a two-month-old boy to hospital with a head injury.
- Authorities discovered 21 children linked to the couple, with 15 removed from their home during a raid in July 2025.
- Investigators allege the couple used motion-activated cameras to monitor nannies disciplining the children.
- A nanny, Chunmei Li, was previously charged with felony child abuse and is currently wanted by law enforcement.
- The couple's lawyer has denied the allegations, describing them as a mischaracterisation and stating that Xuan is innocent.