Charges Filed Against Surrogacy Business Owners
In Los Angeles, two men have been charged with a series of crimes involving the abuse of children born through surrogacy, as well as the suppression of a witness. Prosecutors allege that Guojun Xuan, 66, and Silvia Zhang, 39, subjected 15 of the 16 children living in their Arcadia mansion to repeated physical violence.
"The number of children who were subjected to this alleged horrific abuse is unprecedented," Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan J Hochman said in a statement after the charges were filed.
Allegations of Conspiracy and Deception
Xuan and Zhang run a private surrogacy company and are accused of making false statements to at least two women who become surrogates, suggesting that Zhang was infertile. A spreadsheet maintained by Zhang allegedly tracked 21 children, including those carried by surrogate mothers.
Investigators say the accusations began after Zhang brought a two‑month‑old boy to a hospital with a head injury, claiming the infant had fallen from a bed. Hospital staff informed law enforcement, who then discovered three rooms titled "learning centres" supervised by multiple nannies—detected by prosecutors as a "house of horrors".
Surveillance and Abuse
The mansion reportedly contained thirty‑two motion‑activated cameras used by the couple to monitor discipline administered by the nannies. Footage is alleged to show hits, slaps, and punishments delivered by the nannies—most notably by Chunmei Li, who is accused of striking the two‑month‑old baby. Li was terminated, had a prior felony child‑abuse case, and faces a $105,000 warrant for arrest.
Raid and Custody of Children
The home was first raided in July 2025, with 21 children taken into state custody. Arcadia Police reported the children ranged from two months to 13 years old, with most between one and three. Fifteen children left the house during the raid; the remaining six were later also taken under state care.
Defense Claims
Xuan’s lawyer, Mitchell Krems, called the allegations a "mischaracterisation" and argued that his client is being targeted for exercising a constitutional right. Krems also stated he is innocent, citing a lack of direct evidence linking Xuan to the abuse.
Melissa Brisman, representing two surrogate mothers, praised the developing case as a step toward accountability in the surrogacy system, stating, "This is wonderful news that people will be held responsible for their actions and there will be consequences if you abuse the surrogacy system."
Potential Penalties
If convicted of the charges filed, Xuan faces a possible maximum sentence of 17 years and 4 months in state prison, while Zhang could receive up to 11 years and 8 months. Li, the nanny accused of direct violence, faces up to 12 years.
