Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang Arrested Over 21 Children
A California couple faces felony charges after authorities discovered 21 children living in an Arcadia mansion during a 17-month investigation into physical abuse and surrogacy operations. Guojun Xuan, 66, and Silvia Zhang, 39, were arrested on Tuesday at their residence by detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, according to CBS News. Prosecutors allege that the home operated as a “house of horrors,” where live-in nannies beat and punished children as young as two months old while the couple monitored the rooms through a system of 32 motion-activated cameras.
Investigation and Hospital Discovery in Arcadia
The case began in May 2025 when Silvia Zhang brought a 2-month-old boy to the hospital with a severe head injury, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. Hospital staff notified law enforcement after determining that Zhang was untruthful about how the infant sustained the injury. LiveNOW from FOX reported that medical personnel discovered the infant suffered a brain bleed and traumatic head injury from being shaken and struck by a nanny, and that Xuan and Zhang waited two days to seek medical attention until the child experienced seizures.
When Arcadia police responded to the West Camino Real property on May 7, 2025, they uncovered surveillance footage showing widespread abuse. Prosecutors stated that Xuan and Zhang instructed children to lie about the beatings and told nannies to hide the sticks used to strike them. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman stated that the children were seated for hours daily in three rooms called “Learning Centers” under nanny supervision.
Xuan and Zhang Plead Not Guilty to Felony Counts
Xuan and Zhang pleaded not guilty during their arraignment at the Pasadena courthouse to multiple felony counts, including conspiracy to commit child abuse and dissuading a witness, according to CBS News. Prosecutors sought $100 million bail due to flight risks, but the judge set bond at $20 million for each defendant, ordering home detention and prohibiting them from visiting their children.
Mitchell Krems, an attorney representing Guojun Xuan, told local reporters that his client is innocent and that the blame lies with a nanny who went on the run. Krems claimed that Xuan was being targeted for exercising his constitutional right to have a large family and that the children were educated to become researchers, physicians, and philosophers. Maria Castellanos, a surrogate who carried two children for the couple, told CBS News that she trusted Zhang and expressed anger over the lack of intervention to protect the children. All 21 children remain in state custody under the protection of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Arcadia Surrogacy Case
How many children were found in the Arcadia home?
Authorities recovered 21 children linked to the couple, with 15 found inside the Arcadia mansion during the May 2025 raid and six others located at alternative residences, according to LiveNOW from FOX. The children ranged in age from two months to 13 years old.
What specific charges do Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang face?
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced that the couple faces felony counts including conspiracy to commit child abuse and witness intimidation.
What triggered the initial police response to the mansion?
The investigation started in May 2025 when Silvia Zhang brought a 2-month-old infant to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles with a traumatic head injury and brain bleed, prompting hospital staff to alert law enforcement after noticing inconsistencies in her explanation, according to LiveNOW from FOX.