Public Safety
Arcadia couple arrested in child-abuse investigation involving 21 children
Los Angeles County authorities arrested Silvia Zhang and Guojun Xuan on Tuesday after an investigation into alleged child abuse involving at least 21 children, most of them born through surrogacy.
The Associated Press reported that the couple was arrested at their Arcadia home and is expected to face conspiracy to commit child-abuse charges. ABC7 Los Angeles reported that the operation involved the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI.
Arrests: October 6 in Arcadia
Case: At least 21 children were identified during the investigation
Status: The allegations have not been proven in court
Investigation followed an infant’s injury
AP reported that the investigation began after a hospital notified authorities in May 2025 that a 2-month-old infant had suffered a traumatic head injury. Authorities later removed 15 children from the home and located six others living elsewhere; their ages ranged from 2 months to 13 years.
Prosecutors allege the couple misled some women recruited as surrogates and permitted or directed physical punishment of children in the home. An attorney for Xuan denied the allegations and said his client is innocent. The case remains pending, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proved guilty.
Original reporting: Associated Press →
Local report: ABC7 Los Angeles →