California Couple Charged in Abuse of Surrogate-Born Children, Sparking Industry Scrutiny
An expert described the state's surrogacy market as the 'Wild West' amid calls for increased regulation.
A California couple has been arrested on suspicion of child abuse, allegedly mistreating more than a dozen children born to surrogates, some as young as two months old. Guojun Xuan, 66, and Silvia Zhang, 39, were taken into custody on charges of conspiracy to commit child abuse. Authorities stated the couple ran their own surrogacy agency, Future Spring Surrogacy, from their home in Arcadia, California.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman described the alleged abuse as "appalling and revolting," adding that the children were "systematically beaten and punished if they did not do what they were told." The couple allegedly operated without a license, and at least eight surrogates reported aggressive tactics and false statements regarding the family's living conditions.
Kallie Fell, executive director of the Center for Bioethics and Culture, characterized California's surrogacy industry as the "wild, Wild West," citing a lack of comprehensive regulation. "I say it all the time. It's the wild, Wild West," Fell told Fox News Digital. "The thing about the case is that I wish it was shocking for me. Because of the space I work in, I get to hear shocking stories around the globe — things that people don't realize the surrogacy industry has grown into."
Unlike some states, California does not require a license to operate a surrogacy agency and lacks a broad regulatory framework for the industry. This environment allows couples with sufficient financial resources to pursue surrogacy, often with minimal oversight for the children born through the process. Fell contrasted this with the stringent requirements for foster parents, which include extensive courses, home studies, and background checks.
Commercial surrogacy has become a significant global market, attracting international clients, particularly from China, where the practice is illegal. Wealthy individuals and couples from China frequently turn to the U.S. to expand their families. The U.S. does not have federal regulation of cross-border surrogacy, which can result in children born through the practice acquiring U.S. birthright citizenship.
"We absolutely need to close our borders to international surrogacy," Fell stated. "Why do we need folks from overseas coming, renting wombs here in the United States?"