“HOUSE OF HORRORS” — CALIFORNIA COUPLE ACCUSED OF WATCHING NANNIES ABUSE CHILDREN ON CAMERA AS 21 KIDS ARE REMOVED FROM MANSION

Prosecutors say Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang monitored nannies through dozens of cameras inside their Arcadia mansion, where children born largely through surrogacy were allegedly subjected to repeated physical punishment.

A California mansion once home to a remarkably large family has become the center of a disturbing criminal investigation after prosecutors accused the children’s parents of allowing, encouraging and in some cases participating in alleged abuse.

Guojun Xuan, 66, and Silvia Zhang, 39, were arrested in Arcadia on October 6, 2026, following a 17-month investigation into the treatment of children living at their home.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office says the couple are accused of conspiring to subject 15 of the 16 children living in the mansion to repeated physical abuse.

At least 14 of the children were born through surrogacy, according to prosecutors, and some were as young as 2 months old when the alleged abuse occurred.

Both Xuan and Zhang have pleaded not guilty.

Their arrests came after authorities had already removed 21 children connected to the couple from the home and placed them in protective services.

THE INVESTIGATION BEGAN WITH A BABY

The case first came to authorities’ attention in May 2025, when a 2-month-old boy was taken to hospital with a serious head injury.

According to investigators, the explanation initially given to medical staff did not match the child’s injuries, prompting authorities to become involved.

The investigation eventually led police to the couple’s large Arcadia residence.

During a search, authorities discovered numerous children living inside the property, along with an unusually extensive surveillance system and a tightly controlled daily routine.

A nanny, Chunmei Li, was previously charged in connection with the alleged abuse of the infant.

Authorities say she remains at large, with a $105,000 arrest warrant outstanding.

MORE THAN 30 CAMERAS MONITORED THE CHILDREN

One of the most disturbing allegations involves the surveillance system installed throughout the mansion.

According to the criminal complaint, there were more than 30 cameras inside the home.

The footage could be monitored by Xuan and Zhang, prosecutors allege, allowing them to observe how nannies disciplined the children.

The home reportedly contained several rooms used as makeshift “Learning Centers,” where children spent hours under the supervision of caregivers.

Prosecutors allege that surveillance footage captured nannies spanking, slapping and hitting children during an 11-day period in April and May 2025.

In one alleged incident, a nanny struck a child with a shoe while Zhang and Li were watching, prosecutors say.

Authorities also allege that Xuan entered one of the rooms and instructed a nanny to hit a child harder.

He is accused of then repeatedly striking the child himself.

These allegations have not been proven in court.

PROSECUTORS SAY THE PARENTS DID MORE THAN WATCH

The central question in the case is not only what the nannies allegedly did.

Prosecutors say Xuan and Zhang were aware of the conduct and participated in or encouraged it.

According to the criminal complaint, Xuan allegedly directed a nanny to hit a child harder before allegedly striking the child himself.

Zhang is also accused of being involved in efforts to conceal evidence after authorities began investigating.

Prosecutors allege that the couple instructed some children to deny that nannies had beaten them.

Zhang is also accused of telling a nanny to hide sticks allegedly used to strike children.

A CHILD WAS ALLEGEDLY LEFT WITHOUT MEDICAL CARE

Investigators say the case involving the 2-month-old boy raised particularly serious concerns.

Prosecutors allege that Li injured the infant on May 4, 2025.

The complaint says Xuan and Zhang did not seek medical attention until two days later.

When the baby was taken to hospital, the couple allegedly told medical staff that the child had fallen from a bed.

Doctors reportedly raised concerns about whether that explanation was consistent with the injuries.

The incident became a major turning point in the investigation.

THE MYSTERY OF THE 21 CHILDREN

The investigation has also drawn attention to the unusual circumstances surrounding the couple’s family.

Authorities say Xuan and Zhang had at least 21 children, most of whom were born through surrogate mothers.

The couple also operated a surrogacy business.

According to prosecutors, they allegedly made false statements to at least two women who became surrogates, including claims about Zhang’s ability to have children and the circumstances surrounding their family.

Several surrogates have since told reporters that they were unaware the couple were arranging pregnancies with numerous other women at the same time.

The surrogacy operation is now part of a broader investigation.

THE CHILDREN WERE REMOVED FROM THE HOME

Following the earlier investigation, authorities removed the children from the Arcadia mansion.

According to CBS News, all 21 children connected to the case have been placed in protective services.

The children ranged from infants to teenagers.

Authorities have not publicly released their identities, and details about their current circumstances remain limited because of their ages and the ongoing investigation.

THE COUPLE’S LAWYER DENIES THE ALLEGATIONS

Xuan and Zhang have pleaded not guilty.

Their attorney, Mitchell Krems, has rejected the allegations against his client.

Krems said Xuan is innocent and argued that the alleged abuse was the wrongdoing of a nanny who later fled.

He also described the prosecution as targeting Xuan for his decision to have a large family.

The defense position contrasts sharply with prosecutors’ allegations that the couple knew about the abuse and, in some instances, directed or participated in it.

A court will ultimately determine which version of events is supported by the evidence.

MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN BAIL REQUESTED

Prosecutors initially asked for $100 million bail for each defendant, citing the seriousness of the allegations and concerns about the couple potentially fleeing.

A judge later set bail at $20 million each, according to CBS News.

The couple were also ordered to surrender their passports and remain at home except when attending court proceedings.

If convicted on the charges filed against them, Xuan could face a maximum sentence of 17 years and four months in state prison, while Zhang could face up to 11 years and eight months, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

ONE NANNY IS STILL AT LARGE

Chunmei Li, the nanny previously charged with felony child abuse, has not been arrested.

Authorities have issued a $105,000 warrant for her arrest.

Her alleged involvement in the abuse of the infant is one of the issues being examined as investigators continue to build the case against the couple.

Authorities have not said when or where Li may be located.

A CASE THAT IS STILL UNFOLDING

The allegations have been described by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman as an unprecedented child-abuse case involving a large number of children.

But despite the disturbing allegations described in court documents, Xuan and Zhang have not been convicted.

They are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

The investigation by Arcadia police, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and other authorities remains ongoing.

For now, the children who once lived inside the Arcadia mansion are at the center of a case involving allegations of abuse, an unusual surrogacy operation and a surveillance system that prosecutors say captured disturbing moments inside the home.

What happened behind those walls is now being examined in court.

And as the criminal proceedings begin, the full story of how the children were treated — and who knew what was happening — remains to be determined.