California pair charged with abusing at least 14 surrogate-born children

What the report says

Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang, a California couple based in Arcadia, have been charged with multiple counts of child abuse involving at least 14 surrogate-born children, according to Los Angeles prosecutors and reporting by BBC World News. The pair were arrested at their mansion this week and later pleaded not guilty in court. Prosecutors say the case centers on children living in and around the home, after authorities removed 21 children from their custody last year.

The criminal complaint alleges that the couple ran a surrogacy business and made false statements to women who agreed to become surrogates, while one investigation began after a two-month-old boy was taken to hospital with a head injury. Police and prosecutors say the home contained several rooms described as learning spaces, was monitored by dozens of cameras, and that footage showed nannies physically disciplining children. One nanny, Chunmei Li, has also been separately charged in connection with the alleged abuse.

The BBC report says the children ranged in age from infancy to early teens, with most between one and three years old when they were removed. The couple’s lawyer has rejected the allegations, while attorneys for some surrogates said the case could have wider significance for oversight of surrogacy arrangements. If convicted, the defendants face lengthy prison terms under California law. The allegations have drawn attention because prosecutors describe the number of children affected as highly unusual and because the case raises questions about how surrogate births and large private family arrangements are monitored.