California couple at center of surrogacy scandal arrested on child abuse charges
Updated on: October 6, 2026 / 9:03 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang arrested on charges including conspiracy to commit child abuse and dissuading a witness.
- Couple previously made headlines when 21 children, mostly surrogate-born, were removed from their Arcadia mansion.
- Investigation triggered by a 2-month-old infant's head injury, with mother Zhang allegedly providing untruthful explanation.
- Children allegedly subjected to hours of punishment daily in 'Learning Centers' within the home.
- 32 motion-activated cameras monitored discipline, with footage showing nannies spanking and slapping children.
- One nanny, Chunmei Li, sought for allegedly striking the infant; remains on the run.
- Xuan's attorney claims his client is innocent and being targeted for desiring a large family.
- Surrogacy advocates emphasize the need for protections within the system to prevent abuse by 'bad actors'.
- FBI also served a search warrant at the residence.
- Couple pleaded not guilty and are held on $20 million bond each.