ARCADIA, Calif. — A California couple who housed more than 20 children at their Arcadia mansion is facing criminal charges after investigators uncovered allegations of repeated physical abuse involving children, including an infant who suffered a serious head injury.
Guojun Xuan, 66, and Silvia Zhang, 39, were charged with conspiracy to commit child abuse following an investigation into conditions inside the home. Prosecutors allege that at least 14 surrogate-born children were among those subjected to physical punishment, with some of the children only months old.
The case came to light after a 2-month-old boy was taken for medical treatment with a head injury in 2025. Investigators say doctors became concerned about the explanation given for the injury and contacted authorities, leading police to examine what was happening inside the Arcadia residence.
According to the allegations, the couple had hired several nannies to supervise and discipline the children. Parts of the large home had reportedly been converted into classroom-style spaces where the children spent hours under the supervision of caregivers.
Investigators also found an extensive surveillance system inside the property. Prosecutors say more than 30 cameras recorded activity throughout much of the home, including interactions between the children and nannies. Some alleged incidents were captured on those recordings.
One of the most serious allegations involves an incident in April 2025. Prosecutors say Xuan entered a room where a child was being disciplined and instructed a nanny to hit the child harder. He is then accused of repeatedly striking the child himself, including blows to the head, according to the criminal complaint.
Other alleged incidents involved children being spanked, slapped or struck with objects. Prosecutors also allege that some children were taken into an area without camera coverage, where investigators later heard children screaming.
The investigation also centers on the treatment of the 2-month-old boy. Authorities allege that a nanny, Chunmei Li, struck the infant on May 4, 2025. The child was later found to have suffered bleeding in the brain and retina. Prosecutors say Xuan and Zhang waited two days before seeking medical treatment and gave medical personnel a different explanation for how the injury occurred.
Li was previously charged with felony child abuse, and authorities say an arrest warrant remains outstanding. Investigators allege that Xuan and Zhang later attempted to help her avoid arrest.
Prosecutors further accuse the couple of telling children not to disclose the alleged beatings to police. They also allege that sticks used to discipline the children were hidden as investigators prepared to search the property.
The allegations extend beyond the treatment of the children. Authorities say Xuan and Zhang operated their own surrogacy business and allegedly provided false information to women who became surrogate mothers. In one alleged case, Zhang reportedly presented herself as a single woman struggling to have a child.
The couple reportedly had 21 children together, most of whom were born through surrogacy arrangements. The children were removed from the home and placed under the supervision of Los Angeles County child welfare authorities after the investigation began.
The case moved forward in court this week, with Xuan and Zhang entering not-guilty pleas. A judge ordered that each defendant be held on $20 million bail, along with conditions that include surrendering passports, home confinement and no contact with the children. The couple is scheduled to return to court Monday.
Xuan faces a possible maximum sentence of 17 years and four months in state prison if convicted as charged. Zhang faces up to 11 years and eight months. The charges remain allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
