An affluent Chinese immigrant and his wife are accused by prosecutors of having 21 children through a surrogacy scheme and subjecting them to abuse in their residence in Arcadia, Calif. Guojun Xuan, 66, and Silvia Zhang, 39, were apprehended at their lavish mansion situated about 21 kilometers from downtown Los Angeles. Allegations suggest that the children endured frequent mistreatment by harsh nannies, while the couple monitored them via surveillance cameras and reportedly found amusement in the ordeal.
The couple faces multiple charges, including child abuse, conspiracy to commit child abuse, accessory after the fact, and dissuading a witness, as detailed by Los Angeles County district attorney Nathan Hochman. Describing the case as unprecedented and disturbing, Hochman condemned the physical abuse inflicted on the young children.
During a court appearance in Pasadena, Calif., the couple pleaded not guilty through a Mandarin interpreter. Prosecutors requested a bail of $100 million US per person due to the severity of the charges and the perceived flight risk posed by the defendants. Xuan and Zhang possess a significant number of personal and corporate bank accounts, with annual transfers totaling $250 million US, according to deputy district attorney MacKenzie Teymouri.
The couple, who hold U.S., Mexican, and Chinese passports, are suspected of using fake passports to establish certain bank accounts. Investigators discovered assets amounting to nearly $10 million US inside their residence, including antique sculptures and specialty alcohol, along with a bank statement indicating over $70 million US in one account.
L.A. County Superior Court Judge Kerry White set bail at $20 million US each, imposing home detention and a protective order preventing contact with their children. The defense attorney for the couple, Mitchell Krems, criticized the bail amount as excessive given the charges and highlighted Zhang’s health condition, noting her rare form of leukemia and recent bone marrow transplant.
Fifteen children were removed from the couple’s home following an abuse allegation, with an additional six children located elsewhere. The children, aged between two months and 13 years, were a mix of offspring from Zhang and surrogates. The couple purportedly managed an agency called Mark Surrogacy from their residence, recruiting surrogates across the U.S. under false pretenses.
Hochman revealed that the couple operated “learning centers” within their home where nannies subjected the children to physical abuse under constant surveillance. The couple allegedly instructed the nannies not to leave visible marks on the children and coached the children to deny any abuse when questioned by authorities.
Krems defended Xuan, attributing all abuse to the nannies and emphasizing Xuan’s intention to raise children who contribute positively to society. The defense lawyer suggested that the couple’s background and motives are under investigation, including the parentage of each child.
Surrogacy, an agreement where a woman carries and delivers a child for another person or couple, is regulated by individual states in the absence of comprehensive federal laws. California is recognized as surrogacy-friendly due to its clear legal framework governing the process. Multiple women alleged they were misled by the couple regarding their family situation and intentions, though Krems denied these claims.
The district attorney’s office indicated an ongoing federal investigation into the matter.