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Tue, 13 Oct 2026 03:05:57 -0700
whiteguyinchina from private IP, post #11964371
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Couple accused in surrogacy scandal to seek release from jail, attorneys say
https://abc7news.com/story/california-couple-accused-surrogacy-scandal-seek-release-jail-attorneys-say/19934531/
LOS ANGELES -- An Arcadia couple facing child abuse-related charges in a surrogacy scandal plan to seek release from jail at an upcoming court hearing,
according to their attorneys.
Guojun Xuan, 66, and his partner, Silvia Zhang, have been charged with conspiracy to commit child abuse and witness intimidation. Both pleaded not guilty during
their arraignment. Prosecutors have alleged the couple had 21 children, misled surrogates through their surrogacy company and employed nannies who abused
children at the residence.
During an earlier court hearing, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman described the residence as a "house of horrors."
READ MORE: Attorney explains why the father in California surrogacy scandal wanted 21 kids
"This house can only be described as house of horrors for these incredibly young children," Hochman said.
According to court documents, video recordings allegedly show nannies carrying out "bare-buttock spankings, kicks, repeated strikes to the hands with sticks,
blows with shoes, hits to the head, body, and hands, and prolonged squatting as punishment."
Prosecutors had sought bail of $100 million for each defendant, citing allegations that Xuan had access to about 200 bank accounts and at least 70 corporate
accounts with a combined value of more than $100 million. A judge ultimately set bail at $20 million each.
Silvia Zhang (left) and Guojun Xuan (right)
Tue, 13 Oct 2026 03:08:47 -0700
whiteguyinchina from private IP
Reply #12819929
Attorney explains why the father in California surrogacy scandal wanted 21 kids
https://abc7news.com/story/did-guojun-xuan-father-center-arcadia-california-surrogacy-scandal-want-21-kids/19914022/
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Attorney explains why the father in California surrogacy scandal wanted 21 kids
Attorney explains why Arcadia dad in surrogacy scandal sought 21 kids
Why did an Arcadia father at the center of a surrogacy scandal want 21 children? His attorney says he hoped to raise productive adults who would make a
difference.
Kevin Ozebek Image
ByKevin Ozebek KABC logo
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 10:34AM
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ARCADIA, Calif. -- It's been a mystery for more than a year now. Why did an Arcadia couple at the center of a surrogacy scandal want 21 children?
An attorney for an Arcadia man at the center of an ongoing surrogacy scandal says his client wanted the nearly two dozen children because he believed they could
grow up to make meaningful contributions to society.
An Arcadia couple's 21 children - all from surrogate mothers - have been placed in protective custody amid an investigation.
The explanation came from attorney Mitchell Krems, who represents Guojun Xuan, one of two Arcadia parents who remain under investigation, according to law
enforcement sources. Arcadia police have said Xuan and Silvia Zhang are the parents of 21 children, many of whom were born through a surrogate company the
couple owns.
Krems described Xuan's motivation as rooted in a desire to help create good citizens.
Silvia Zhang (left) and Guojun Xuan (right)
Silvia Zhang (left) and Guojun Xuan (right)
When asked why Xuan has so many children, Krems said, "That's a great question, because on the surface, it seems like it's very eccentric, but I have gotten to
know Mr. Xuan on a very personal level as his attorney, and it has become apparent to me that his desire to have so many kids emanates from his altruism."
Krems said Xuan's goal is to raise children who become productive adults.
"The reason he has all these children is because he wants them to contribute to society. He is not a man who is self-indulgent. Some who are wealthy might spend
on jewelry or cars, but he is actually spending his resources to help his children become educated so that they can be the philosophers, the physicians, the
researchers and the inventors that help society," Krems said.
The couple has been under scrutiny since last summer, when they were arrested on suspicion of felony child endangerment and later released without being
charged.
A search warrant obtained by ABC affiliate KABC shows the investigation began after their then-2-month-old son suffered an apparent head injury.
According to investigators, the couple's nanny, Chunmei Li, was captured on security camera video holding the infant inside the home. The warrant states that
footage shows the baby "cries for a few seconds until a thud or hit is heard," and that "crying suddenly stops." Police wrote that after Li's "attempt to wake
him up" was "no success," the video shows Li "shake him."
Li remains at large, according to investigators.
The Arcadia couple's nanny, Chunmei Li, is seen holding an infant, according to the search warrant.
The Arcadia couple's nanny, Chunmei Li, is seen holding an infant, according to the search warrant.
The warrant also includes photos of children in the home, including children seated in two rows of desks with teachers and nannies present. Detectives wrote
that one image showed an adult hitting a child in the face, while another showed a child doing squats. A separate image showed a child being spanked while face
down on a desk, investigators say.
KABC asked Krems whether children inside the Arcadia home had been abused.
The search warrant also includes photos of children inside the Arcadia home.
The search warrant also includes photos of children inside the Arcadia home.
"I am Mr. Xuan's attorney on all respective matters, and I can't comment due to confidentiality as to search warrants or any pending case, but what I will say
is any general accusation that my client is abusive in any way whatsoever is categorically false," Krems said.
Last summer, the 21 children found in the home were placed in the custody of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.
When asked whether Xuan has been able to regain custody of the children, Krems said he could not comment on dependency matters.
Tue, 13 Oct 2026 03:11:22 -0700
whiteguyinchina from private IP
Reply #13285869
Andy, why didnt you get on this?
#mitchell-krems">https://familyfirstattorneys.com/team/managing-partners.html#mitchell-krems
Tue, 13 Oct 2026 04:55:14 -0700
Andy from private IP
Reply #13984002
I heard about this through my wife's network in that area. Sad for all involved, especially the child victims who were birthed solely to provide punching bags
for their parents.
Tue, 13 Oct 2026 10:05:16 -0700
whiteguyinchina from private IP
Reply #12449334
I am a bit conflicted. Was the abuse this bad? I think the law is more interested in how this dude had 100 million dollars in his 200 bank accounts and the
identities of his surrogate business customers.
Tue, 13 Oct 2026 10:06:33 -0700
whiteguyinchina from private IP
Reply #14350587
The fallout is awful. Kids in foster system in LA. Parents in LA jail on a 100 million bail. No idea how they can justify that kind of bail. But if there was a
flight risk, these people are it.
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