A California couple has been charged in connection with the alleged abuse of at least 14 surrogate-born children at their multimillion-dollar home in Arcadia. Prosecutors say the children, ranging from 2 months to 13 years old, faced beatings, harsh punishments and coaching intended to conceal the alleged abuse. The defendants have pleaded not guilty, while authorities investigate circumstances involving 21 children linked to the household.
The investigation began in May 2025 after a 2-month-old infant was taken to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles with a traumatic head injury and severe brain bleeding. Officials say the child was violently shaken and struck by a nanny, while medical care was delayed until the infant began suffering seizures.
Los Angeles County prosecutors allege that the adults operating the home directed nannies and monitored a system of discipline designed to avoid visible injuries. The county’s child welfare agency has taken custody of the children for medical, psychological and placement services.
| 1) | Charges follow an infant’s hospitalization |
| 2) | Prosecutors describe alleged systematic punishment |
| 3) | Surrogacy operation connected to the household |
| 4) | Authorities examine finances and other properties |
| 5) | Children placed under county protection |
Charges follow an infant’s hospitalization
Guojun Xuan, 66, and Silvia Zhang, 39, were arraigned in Pasadena on charges arising from alleged abuse inside their Arcadia mansion. Both face one count of conspiracy to commit child abuse and have pleaded not guilty. Xuan also faces charges of child abuse, accessory after the fact and five counts of dissuading a witness. Zhang faces an additional accessory charge and four counts of dissuading a witness.
The case came to light in May 2025, when Zhang brought her infant to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Prosecutors allege that the baby had been violently shaken and struck by nanny Chunmei Li, suffered major head trauma and was not taken for treatment for two days. Authorities say the couple claimed the infant had fallen from a bed, but the child was hospitalized after developing seizures.
Prosecutors describe alleged systematic punishment
Police recovered security footage that prosecutors say documented abuse involving 14 children who lived at the home. The children were between 2 months and 13 years old, with most between 1 and 3 years old. Six other children connected to the couple were later found at separate residences, bringing the total number under investigation to 21.
Authorities allege that nannies were instructed to beat children daily with sticks concealed around the house and use disciplinary methods designed not to leave obvious marks. Prosecutors also say children were coached to deny being beaten. In one alleged incident, Xuan told a nanny to strike a child harder and then joined the assault. Another child was allegedly forced to perform repeated squats or remain in a horse stance for hours.
“The number of children who were subjected to this alleged horrific abuse is unprecedented,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.
Surrogacy operation connected to the household
The couple operated Future Spring Surrogacy from the Arcadia residence, recruiting women to carry children and paying tens of thousands of dollars for the pregnancies. One surrogate was paid $135,000, while prosecutors say others were recruited through misleading statements about the family’s circumstances.
At least eight surrogates reportedly described aggressive tactics or false representations about the household. Investigators are working to identify the biological and social parents of all 21 children connected to the case. The surrogacy activity may help establish how the children came into the couple’s care and how long they remained there.
Authorities examine finances and other properties
Investigators said Xuan maintained more than 200 bank accounts and held large amounts of cash used to pay nannies. Authorities also found passports from several countries, including Mexico, and estimated that liquor worth between $8 million and $9 million was stored inside the mansion, which was valued at about $10 million.
Officials are separately examining Xuan’s history and his connection to another property previously associated with an illegal casino and a psilocybin mushroom-growing operation. The available allegations do not establish whether those matters are connected to the child abuse case.
Children placed under county protection
The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services has taken custody of the children. The agency is overseeing their long-term medical care, psychological evaluations and legal placement while investigators determine their family relationships and living arrangements.
Nanny Chunmei Li was charged with child abuse causing great bodily injury or death. Authorities said Li has since fled to China. It remains unclear how long the alleged abuse continued before the infant’s hospitalization in May 2025, and the investigation remains active.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Xuan and Zhang have pleaded not guilty to charges tied to alleged child abuse. |
| 2 | Fourteen children were allegedly abused inside the Arcadia home, with six others found elsewhere. |
| 3 | The investigation began after a hospitalized infant suffered severe head injuries. |
| 4 | County officials are providing care and arranging legal placements for the children. |
| 5 | Authorities continue investigating the household, its finances and the children’s family connections. |
Summary
The charges describe an alleged system in which children brought into a wealthy Arcadia household through surrogacy were abused and controlled by adults responsible for their care. The case began with a medical emergency and expanded through security footage, witness accounts and a review of the family’s finances and surrogacy activities. The defendants deny the charges through their not-guilty pleas, and the welfare and legal status of all 21 children remain central to the investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been charged?
Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang have been charged in connection with the alleged abuse. Nanny Chunmei Li also faces a child abuse charge and is reported to have fled to China.
How many children are involved?
Authorities identified 14 children allegedly abused inside the Arcadia residence. Six additional children linked to the couple were later located at other homes, bringing the total under investigation to 21.
What happened to the children?
The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services took custody of the children and is overseeing medical care, psychological evaluations and legal placement.
