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A California couple faces severe felony charges after allegedly abusing at least 14 surrogate-born children — some as young as two months old — inside their multimillion-dollar Arcadia mansion, according to authorities.
Guojun Xuan, 66, and Silvia Zhang, 39, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit child abuse. Xuan also faces one felony count of child abuse, one felony count of accessory after the fact, and five felony counts of dissuading a witness. Zhang faces an additional count of accessory after the fact and four counts of 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.”
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Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang appeared for their arraignment in Pasadena, Calif., on Tuesday, on charges of abuse of at least 14 surrogate-born children, some as young as 2 months old, at an Arcadia mansion where they lived. (Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
An investigation was launched in May 2025 when Zhang brought her two-month-old infant to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles with a traumatic head injury and severe brain bleeding, affiliate FOX 11 Los Angeles reported. Medical staff determined the infant had been violently shaken and struck by a nanny, Chunmei Li.
Prosecutors allege that Zhang and Xuan delayed seeking medical attention for two days, only bringing the child to the hospital after he began experiencing seizures. The couple allegedly made false claims that the baby had fallen out of bed.
Security footage recovered by police from the couple’s $10 million home revealed widespread, systemic abuse against 14 surrogate-born children ranging in age from two months to 13 years old, with the majority between ages one and three.
Six additional children linked to the couple were later located at other homes, bringing the total number of affected children to 21.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman speaks at a press conference alongside Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. (KTTV)
Inside the mansion, prosecutors discovered three “learning centers” where toddlers were forced to sit at desks for hours. Nannies inside the home were allegedly instructed to administer discipline designed to avoid leaving visible marks.
FOX 11 reported that prosecutors allege Xuan and Zhang actively monitored and directed nannies to subject the children to daily beatings using sticks hidden throughout the house. Children were also allegedly coached to deny being beaten.
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In one documented instance, Xuan allegedly instructed a nanny who was striking a child to hit harder before joining in himself — delivering open-handed blows to the child’s head, striking their bare buttocks, and lifting the child by a single arm while continuing the assault. Another boy was forced to perform continuous squats or hold a “horse stance” position for hours as punishment.
The couple operated Future Spring Surrogacy directly from their home, recruiting surrogates and paying them tens of thousands of dollars to carry children to term. While one surrogate received $135,000, prosecutors noted that many were recruited under misleading pretenses.
FILE – American flags fly outside Arcadia City Hall in Arcadia, Calif., on May 13, 2026. During the search of the home, investigators found between $8 million and $9 million worth of liquor. (Getty Images)
At least eight surrogates reported aggressive tactics and false statements regarding the family’s living situation.
Law enforcement found evidence of vast financial resources inside the home. Xuan allegedly maintained more than 200 bank accounts, stacks of cash used to pay nannies, and passports for multiple countries, including Mexico.
Authorities also discovered between $8 million and $9 million worth of liquor stored inside the mansion.
Investigators are currently working to determine the biological and social parents of all 21 children involved. The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services has taken custody of the children to oversee their long-term medical care, psychological evaluation, and legal placement.
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“This was not a home where these children were loved and nurtured,” D.A. Hochman said. “This was a home where these young children were systematically beaten and punished if they did not do what they were told. These alleged abusers will now face the full force of the law as we hold them accountable for their despicable actions.”
FILE – The discovery was made after a child was brought to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for treatment. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Nanny Chunmei Li is charged with child abuse causing great bodily injury or death; authorities said she has since fled to China.
Beyond the child abuse allegations, law enforcement is probing Xuan’s past, including his connection to a property previously linked to an illegal casino and a psilocybin mushroom growing operation.
Fox News Digital reached out to attorneys for Xuan and Zhang for comment. It remains unclear how long the alleged abuse had been occurring prior to May 2025.
