‘HOUSE OF HORRORS’ — CALIFORNIA COUPLE ACCUSED OF WATCHING NANNIES ABUSE CHILDREN ON CAMERA AS 21 KIDS ARE REMOVED

Prosecutors say Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang watched surveillance footage as nannies allegedly physically punished children inside their Arcadia mansion. The couple has pleaded not guilty.

A sprawling California mansion filled with children, surveillance cameras and live-in nannies has become the center of a disturbing criminal investigation after prosecutors accused the homeowners of allowing — and in some cases participating in — the physical abuse of young children.

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

Prosecutors allege that at least 14 of the couple’s surrogate-born children were subjected to repeated physical abuse.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman described the property as a “house of horrors.” The couple, however, pleaded not guilty and has denied the allegations.

A HOME WITH 21 CHILDREN

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

Fifteen children were removed from the Arcadia home during the investigation, while six others living elsewhere were later located. The children ranged in age from just 2 months to 13 years, with most being toddlers.

According to prosecutors, the couple operated a surrogacy company and recruited women from across the United States.

Investigators are also examining allegations that some prospective surrogates were given misleading information about the couple’s family circumstances and intentions.

The surrogacy allegations form part of a broader investigation that remains ongoing.

THE INVESTIGATION BEGAN WITH A BABY

The case first came to public attention in May 2025.

Authorities became involved after a two-month-old baby was taken to a hospital with a traumatic head injury and intracranial bleeding.

Investigators say a nanny, Chunmei Li, was responsible for the alleged assault on the infant.

Police initially arrested Xuan and Zhang but did not immediately file charges, saying they needed time to conduct a broader investigation.

That investigation would eventually uncover allegations involving numerous children inside the home.

32 CAMERAS INSIDE THE MANSION

Perhaps the most disturbing part of the investigation involves the home’s surveillance system.

Prosecutors say there were 32 motion-activated cameras installed throughout the mansion.

The cameras monitored areas where the children spent hours each day under the supervision of nannies.

Three rooms were reportedly used as makeshift “learning centers,” where children sat at desks while caregivers supervised them.

According to prosecutors, footage captured nannies spanking, slapping and hitting children over an 11-day period between April 27 and May 7, 2025.

Prosecutors further allege that Xuan and Zhang watched the footage.

In one alleged incident, a nanny was seen striking a child with a shoe. Prosecutors say Zhang and nanny Chunmei Li laughed while watching the footage.

In another incident, prosecutors allege Xuan entered one of the learning centers and instructed a nanny to hit a child harder.

He is then accused of repeatedly striking the child himself.

These allegations have not been proven in court.

ALLEGATIONS OF A HIDDEN ROOM

Investigators also discovered an area of the home that was not covered by surveillance cameras.

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, some nannies allegedly took children into that room, where investigators said screams could be heard.

Prosecutors also allege that the nannies were instructed to discipline children without leaving visible marks.

The surveillance footage became a major piece of evidence in the investigation.

THE TWO-MONTH-OLD BABY

The investigation became especially serious after the two-month-old infant suffered a head injury.

Prosecutors allege the baby was struck by nanny Chunmei Li on May 4, 2025.

According to the criminal complaint, Xuan and Zhang did not seek medical treatment until two days later.

Authorities allege the couple told medical personnel that the baby had fallen from a bed.

Li has also been charged with felony child abuse and remains at large.

Authorities have announced a $105,000 reward for information leading to her arrest.

CHILDREN ALLEGEDLY TOLD TO KEEP QUIET

Prosecutors say the allegations did not end with the physical punishment.

They also accuse Xuan and Zhang of attempting to influence what the children would tell investigators.

According to the criminal complaint, before police arrived on May 7, 2025, the couple allegedly told some of the children to deny that nannies had beaten them.

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

THE COUPLE FACES MULTIPLE FELONY CHARGES

Xuan and Zhang now face multiple charges.

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Xuan is charged with conspiracy to commit child abuse, child abuse, accessory after the fact and several counts of dissuading a witness.

Zhang faces conspiracy to commit child abuse, accessory after the fact and multiple counts of dissuading a witness.

Prosecutors say Xuan could face a maximum sentence of 17 years and four months in state prison if convicted.

Zhang could face up to 11 years and eight months.

The nanny accused of abusing the infant could face up to 12 years if convicted.

The couple pleaded not guilty at their October 6 arraignment.

Their bail was set at $20 million each after prosecutors had sought $100 million.

DEFENSE: ‘MY CLIENT IS INNOCENT’

Xuan’s attorney, Mitchell Krems, has strongly denied the allegations.

In a statement reported by ABC7, Krems said his client is innocent and argued that the wrongdoing was committed by the nanny who is now wanted by authorities.

The defense position directly conflicts with prosecutors’ allegations that Xuan participated in or encouraged the abuse.

The criminal case will now proceed through the courts.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SURROGACY OPERATION

Beyond the abuse allegations, authorities are investigating how the couple came to have so many children.

Prosecutors say Xuan and Zhang operated their own surrogacy company.

At least eight women have reportedly come forward to investigators saying they were recruited to become surrogates and were given misleading or incomplete information about the couple’s family circumstances.

The authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the children’s births, parentage and the operation of the surrogacy business.

AN INVESTIGATION THAT IS STILL UNFOLDING

The case has attracted national attention because of the extraordinary number of children involved and the allegations surrounding the surveillance system inside the mansion.

But despite the disturbing accusations, the criminal proceedings are only beginning.

The allegations against Xuan and Zhang have not been proven in court, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are found guilty.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the case, including the actions of the nannies, the couple’s surrogacy operation and the circumstances surrounding the children who lived in and around the Arcadia property.

For the children who were removed from the home, the investigation has already resulted in a dramatic change to their lives.

And for investigators, prosecutors and the families connected to the surrogacy operation, many questions remain unanswered.