CALIFORNIA COUPLE ACCUSED OF TURNING MANSION INTO A “HOUSE OF HORRORS” FOR SURROGATE-BORN CHILDREN
CALIFORNIA COUPLE ACCUSED OF TURNING MANSION INTO A “HOUSE OF HORRORS” FOR SURROGATE-BORN CHILDREN
A wealthy California couple is facing serious criminal charges after prosecutors accused them of creating a disturbing environment where dozens of children lived under the supervision of nannies and were allegedly subjected to repeated physical abuse.
Guojun Xuan, 66, and Silvia Zhang, 39, were charged in Los Angeles County this week following a lengthy investigation into their Arcadia mansion.
According to prosecutors, 21 children had been living with the couple, with 15 allegedly experiencing repeated physical abuse. At least 14 of those children were reportedly born through surrogacy.
The investigation began after a 2-month-old boy was taken to a hospital with a serious head injury in May 2025. Authorities say the infant had allegedly been struck by a nanny.
Investigators later reviewed surveillance footage from inside the mansion. Prosecutors say the home contained approximately 32 motion-activated cameras, allowing the couple to monitor the children and nannies.
The children reportedly spent hours each day in rooms described as “learning centers,” where they were supervised by caregivers.
According to the criminal complaint, videos allegedly showed nannies spanking, slapping and hitting children. In one alleged incident, prosecutors say Xuan entered one of the rooms and instructed a nanny to hit a child harder before allegedly striking the child himself.
Prosecutors also allege that some abuse took place in an area without surveillance cameras, where children could reportedly be heard screaming.
Authorities further accuse Zhang and Xuan of attempting to prevent the children from speaking about what happened. Investigators say the couple allegedly instructed some children to deny being beaten and that sticks allegedly used during the abuse were hidden.
The couple also operated a surrogacy business. Prosecutors allege that they made misleading statements to at least two women who became surrogate mothers.
The children were eventually removed from the home and placed in state custody.
Xuan and Zhang have pleaded not guilty and are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Their attorney has disputed the allegations against Xuan, saying he did not participate in beating the children.
The case remains under investigation, and authorities are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the children, their parentage and the alleged surrogacy operation.
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