Surrogate parents in Arcadia face child abuse and witness-intimidation charges after years of warnings
Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang have been charged with conspiracy to commit child abuse and witness intimidation following a police raid on their Arcadia mansion, where dozens of surrogate children were allegedly mistreated.
Guojun Xuan, 66, and Silvia Zhang, 39, were arraigned on charges of conspiracy to commit child abuse and witness intimidation after a police investigation uncovered alleged physical punishments inflicted on surrogate children at their Arcadia mansion. Prosecutors say a nanny beat a two-month-old boy, causing a brain bleed, and that children were repeatedly struck during the abuse. The couple’s own surrogacy firm, Mark Surrogacy Investments, allowed them to bypass standard background checks, raising questions about industry oversight.
Child-services referrals concerning the pair date back to 2019, but custody was only revoked last year. Both defendants have entered not-guilty pleas and are being held on a $20 million bond.
Why it matters
The case highlights gaps in oversight of U.S. surrogacy arrangements and raises concerns about child-welfare protections.
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