32 cameras, 14 children and a 'house of horror': The surrogacy scandal shaking California

A couple in California was arrested on suspicion of systematically abusing at least 14 children born through surrogacy. Over 30 security cameras were installed in their home, and they watched nannies beat the children and even encouraged physical punishment. The case came to light after a two-month-old infant was hospitalized with a head injury. The couple pleaded not guilty.

The couple, Guojun Xuan (66) and Sylvia Zhang (39), were arrested this week at their home in Arcadia, Los Angeles County, and charged with systematically abusing at least 14 children born through surrogacy. According to the indictment, six nannies were employed in their home, and over 30 security cameras were installed throughout the estate. The couple watched the feeds from a large screen in a shared office and documented instances where the children were beaten with hands, shoes, and objects. The prosecution alleges that the couple were aware of the violence, encouraged physical punishment, and in some cases, Xuan himself participated. The case came to light in May 2025, after a two-month-old infant was hospitalized with a severe head injury. A search found 15 children in the home, most of them toddlers, who were transferred to social services. The couple pleaded not guilty. The judge set bail at $20 million each. The prosecution claims the couple ran a surrogacy business and recruited women across the US, providing some with misleading information. A separate federal investigation is examining the circumstances of the children's birth.