California Man Accused of Running Surrogate Baby Scheme Claims Altruistic Motives

A California man arrested last year with his partner for allegedly running a surrogacy scheme involving 21 children claimed he wanted to raise a large family to benefit society, according to his attorney.

Guojun Xuan, 65, and his partner Silvia Zhang, 38, were arrested on May 9 on suspicion of child abuse and neglect at their $4.1 million mansion in Arcadia. Police discovered 21 children, ranging in age from two months to 13 years, across multiple properties owned by the couple.

Xuan's attorney, Mitchell Krems, stated that his client's desire for many children was rooted in a wish to help create well-adjusted citizens who could contribute meaningfully to the world. Krems described Xuan's motivation as altruistic, explaining that the wealthy man chose to invest his resources in educating his children to become future philosophers, physicians, researchers, and inventors.

"On the surface, it seems like it's very eccentric, but I have gotten to know Mr. Xuan on a very personal level as his attorney, and it has become apparent to me that his desire to have so many kids emanates from his altruism," Krems told ABC News 7. "The reason he has all these children is because he wants them to contribute to society."

The couple has been under state and federal investigation since the summer of 2025 and were each released on $500,000 bail. They have not been seen publicly since their arrest.

An investigation was initiated after a local hospital reported that a two-month-old boy, identified as Baby Walter, was brought in with severe head injuries. According to search warrants, surveillance footage inside the home showed the child's nanny, Chunmei Li, spanking the infant. The footage captured a thud and the baby's crying abruptly stopping.

In one still image from the surveillance footage, a child is shown with pants down on a table, allegedly being spanked by a nanny. Former staff members reportedly described working for the couple as being under a "military regime," alleging constant threats, screaming, and physical harm.

Court documents revealed that Xuan was also a significant donor to Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang, who pleaded guilty in June 2025 to charges of acting as an illegal agent for China and spreading propaganda within the U.S. on behalf of the Chinese government. Xuan contributed $4,900 to Wang's first election campaign in 2022.

Further reports indicated that the couple had at least five more surrogate-born babies in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Georgia after the California controversy. These children were also taken into state custody, and the couple is reportedly fighting for custody across four states while suing some of the surrogates involved.