1 hr ago
California Couple Charged After Children Found in Alleged Abuse Case
Prosecutors say a couple in Arcadia had 21 children, most born through surrogacy.
They say some children were hurt by nannies and that the couple also took part in or allowed abuse.
The investigation began after a baby was taken to hospital with a serious head injury in May 2025.
Authorities removed 15 children from the home and found six others living elsewhere.
The couple deny the accusations and pleaded not guilty.
Their lawyer says the allegations against Xuan are false and blames the nannies for the abuse.
A judge set bail at $20 million for each adult.
Police are still looking for a nanny accused of injuring the baby.
Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang face multiple child-abuse-related charges after an investigation into conditions at their Arcadia home.
Authorities initially intervened after a two-month-old child was hospitalized with a serious head injury in May 2025.
Prosecutors allege the couple and nannies physically abused children, and that the couple encouraged concealment; the couple pleaded not guilty.
Fifteen children were taken into protective custody, and investigators located six more living elsewhere; the children ranged from two months to 13 years old.
A judge set bail at $20 million each; nanny Chunmei Li is wanted, and the investigation is ongoing.
- Who
- Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang, along with nanny Chunmei Li, who is wanted in connection with the infant's injury.
- What
- Xuan and Zhang face charges including child abuse and conspiracy to commit child abuse; they pleaded not guilty.
- Where
- The couple's home in Arcadia, California, and a court in nearby Pasadena.
- When
- The investigation began after a medical emergency in May 2025; charges and a court appearance were reported Tuesday.
- Why
- Authorities began investigating after a two-month-old child was hospitalized with a serious head injury; prosecutors allege wider abuse and efforts to conceal it.
Prosecutors' allegations
Defense response
Abuse and the couple's role
Prosecutors' allegations
Prosecutors allege children were physically abused by nannies and that Xuan and Zhang participated in, encouraged, or failed to prevent abuse.
Defense response
The couple pleaded not guilty. Their attorney called allegations that Xuan beat children false and blamed the abuse on nannies.
Surrogacy arrangements
Prosecutors' allegations
Prosecutors say the couple operated Mark Surrogacy and misled some women about their family circumstances and intentions.
Defense response
Their attorney denied that the couple misled surrogates and said they wanted to raise children to become productive adults.
Bail and scrutiny
Prosecutors' allegations
Prosecutors sought $100 million bail per person, citing the seriousness of the charges and flight-risk concerns.
Defense response
The judge set bail at $20 million each. The defense called the requested amount absurd and argued Zhang's health should be considered; the attorney also alleged the couple faced heightened scrutiny because they are Chinese.
Key facts
- Defendants
- Guojun Xuan, 66, and Silvia Zhang, 39
- Children
- Authorities removed 15 from the home and located six others elsewhere; ages ranged from two months to 13 years.
- Initial incident
- A two-month-old child was hospitalized with a traumatic head injury in May 2025.
- Charges
- Prosecutors listed child abuse, conspiracy to commit child abuse, accessory after the fact, and dissuading a witness.
- Court
- The couple pleaded not guilty; a judge set bail at $20 million each and ordered home detention.
- Wanted suspect
- Nanny Chunmei Li has an arrest warrant; one report states bail is set at $105,000.
- Investigation
- The investigation remains ongoing, and the district attorney's office said a federal investigation was also underway.
Quotes
Nathan Hochman
Los Angeles County district attorney
“This case is unprecedented. It is horrific. The physical abuse, beating and punishment that these very young children received is despicable.”
NDTV
Mitchell Krems
Attorney for Xuan and Zhang
“My client, Mr. Xuan, intervened swiftly. He fired the nanny, excised her from the house.”
NDTV
Sources
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