California Couple Charged with Abusing 14 Surrogate-Born Children

A California couple, Guojun Xuan, 66, and Silvia Zhang, 39, are facing felony charges for allegedly abusing at least 14 children born via surrogacy. The children, some as young as two months old, were reportedly subjected to systematic abuse within their $10 million mansion in Arcadia, California.

Xuan faces charges including conspiracy to commit child abuse, child abuse, accessory after the fact, and dissuading a witness. Zhang is charged with conspiracy to commit child abuse, accessory after the fact, and dissuading a witness. Both have pleaded not guilty.

"The number of children who were subjected to this alleged horrific abuse is unprecedented," said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman. "The alleged corporal abuse of these children is appalling and revolting, especially at the hands of those who were supposed to protect them."

The investigation began in May 2025 when Zhang brought her two-month-old infant to Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Medical staff determined the infant had suffered a traumatic head injury, severe brain bleeding, and had allegedly been violently shaken and struck by a nanny. Prosecutors claim Zhang and Xuan delayed seeking medical attention for two days and falsely stated the baby had fallen out of bed.

Security footage recovered from the couple's home revealed systemic abuse against 14 children, ranging in age from two months to 13 years old, with most between one and three years old. Six additional children linked to the couple were found at other residences, bringing the total number of affected children to 21.

Prosecutors allege that Xuan and Zhang directed nannies to physically discipline the children daily, sometimes using sticks hidden throughout the house, and coached the children to deny the abuse. In one instance, Xuan allegedly instructed a nanny to strike a child harder before joining in with blows to the child's head and buttocks. Another child was allegedly forced into prolonged squatting or a "horse stance" position as punishment.

The couple operated Future Spring Surrogacy from their home, recruiting surrogates and paying them for pregnancies. At least eight surrogates reported aggressive recruitment tactics and misleading information about the family's living situation. One surrogate reportedly received $135,000.

During the search of the mansion, investigators discovered over $8 million to $9 million worth of liquor. Xuan also allegedly maintained more than 200 bank accounts and possessed multiple international passports.

The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services has taken custody of the children for their care, evaluation, and placement. Nanny Chunmei Li, charged with child abuse, has reportedly fled to China.

Authorities are also investigating Xuan's past connections to a property previously linked to an illegal casino and a psilocybin mushroom growing operation. The timeline of the alleged abuse prior to May 2025 remains unclear.