Guojun Xuan, 66, and Silvia Zhang, 39, were arrested at their Arcadia mansion and charged with multiple counts of child abuse involving at least 14 of the 16 children in their residence. The pair also face charges of dissuading a witness. They pleaded not guilty at a Pasadena courthouse.
The investigation began in May 2025 when Zhang brought a two-month-old boy to the hospital with a head injury. When police arrived at the home, they discovered three designated “learning centres” supervised by multiple nannies, which authorities described as a “house of horrors.” The mansion contained 32 motion-activated cameras that prosecutors alleged the couple used to monitor discipline administered by staff members. Video footage purportedly shows nannies spanking, slapping, or hitting children in their care.
Xuan and Zhang operated a surrogacy company and are accused of making false statements to prospective surrogates, claiming Zhang was unable to conceive. Investigators believe surrogate mothers from across the country were unaware they were carrying embryos simultaneously for the couple. As of May 2025, Zhang maintained a spreadsheet documenting 21 children born through surrogacy arrangements.
In July 2025, authorities raided the home and took 21 children into state custody, ranging in age from two months to 13 years old. Fifteen were removed from the residence while six others living elsewhere were later taken into custody. One nanny, Chunmei Li, 58, was charged separately with one felony count of child abuse and is accused of injuring the two-month-old boy discovered at the hospital. Li is currently wanted with a $105,000 warrant.
If convicted, Xuan faces a possible maximum sentence of 17 years and four months, while Zhang could receive up to 11 years and eight months. Li faces up to 12 years in state prison. The couple’s attorney has characterized the allegations as a mischaracterization and stated his client is being targeted for his constitutional right to have a large family.
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