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

Prosecutors say a California couple with 21 children used dozens of surveillance cameras to monitor their Arcadia mansion, where at least 14 surrogate-born children were allegedly subjected to repeated physical abuse

A sprawling California mansion that once appeared to be the home of an unusually large family has become the center of a disturbing child-abuse investigation.

Guojun Xuan, 66, and his wife, Silvia Zhang, 39, were arrested Tuesday in Arcadia, California, after a 17-month investigation into allegations involving children they had raised through a large-scale surrogacy operation.

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

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman described the property as a “house of horrors” during a news conference announcing the charges.

The couple have pleaded not guilty and deny the allegations.

THE INVESTIGATION BEGAN WITH A BABY

Authorities say the case first came to light in May 2025 after one of the couple’s children, then just two months old, was taken to a hospital with a serious head injury.

According to investigators, Zhang brought the infant to the hospital but allegedly gave an explanation for the injury that medical staff found concerning. Hospital personnel contacted law enforcement, triggering an investigation.

Authorities later searched the Arcadia property and discovered a large number of children living there.

The children ranged in age from approximately two months to 13 years, according to authorities.

21 CHILDREN — AND A NETWORK OF CAMERAS

The investigation uncovered a highly controlled environment inside the mansion.

According to prosecutors, the couple had 32 motion-activated surveillance cameras throughout the property.

The cameras allegedly allowed Xuan and Zhang to monitor their children and the nannies responsible for caring for them.

Prosecutors say the home contained designated “learning centers,” where children were expected to spend time under the supervision of nannies.

Authorities allege that physical punishment occurred in those rooms and that the couple could watch what was happening through live CCTV feeds.

Some of the alleged incidents were captured on video, prosecutors said.

PROSECUTORS ALLEGE THE PARENTS WATCHED

According to the criminal allegations, the surveillance footage became a central piece of evidence.

Prosecutors allege that nannies repeatedly struck or otherwise physically punished children while the couple watched.

In one alleged incident, a nanny is accused of striking a child with a shoe. Prosecutors say Zhang watched the footage and laughed.

In another alleged incident, prosecutors say Xuan encouraged a nanny to hit harder and then participated himself.

These allegations have not been proven in court.

Xuan’s attorney, Mitchell Krems, has strongly denied the accusations, saying his client is innocent and arguing that responsibility lies with the nanny who is accused of directly abusing the children.

A NANNY IS ALSO CHARGED

One of the nannies, Chunmei Li, 58, has separately been charged with felony child abuse under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death.

Authorities say Li remains at large, and a $105,000 arrest warrant has been issued for her.

Prosecutors allege that she was involved in the abuse of at least one of the children.

The investigation into other people connected to the household remains ongoing.

ALLEGATIONS OF A COVER-UP

Investigators also accuse the couple of attempting to prevent authorities from learning what had allegedly happened inside the home.

According to the criminal complaint, Xuan and Zhang allegedly instructed some children to deny that they had been physically punished.

Prosecutors also allege that Zhang told a nanny to hide sticks that were allegedly used to discipline the children.

The couple are therefore facing not only allegations connected to child abuse, but also charges involving conspiracy, being an accessory after the fact and dissuading witnesses.

HOW DID THE COUPLE HAVE 21 CHILDREN?

The number of children connected to the household has been one of the most unusual aspects of the case.

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

Prosecutors allege that the couple operated a surrogacy business and that some women who became surrogates were given misleading information about the family.

The precise circumstances surrounding the surrogacy arrangements remain under investigation.

Xuan’s attorney has offered a very different explanation for the unusually large family.

According to ABC7, Krems said his client wanted the children to grow into productive adults who could contribute to society.

CHILDREN PLACED INTO PROTECTIVE CUSTODY

Authorities previously removed the children from the Arcadia property.

Officials say 15 children were removed from the mansion during the investigation, while another six were located elsewhere.

The children have been placed under protective care as authorities and child-welfare officials continue to determine what happened inside the household and what arrangements are appropriate for them.

The case has also prompted a broader investigation into the couple’s surrogacy operation.

COUPLE PLEADS NOT GUILTY

Xuan and Zhang appeared in court in Pasadena on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors initially requested bail of $100 million for each defendant, citing the seriousness of the allegations and concerns about their ability to leave the country.

The court ultimately set bail at $20 million each, according to ABC7.

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

Zhang faces conspiracy, accessory-after-the-fact and witness-dissuasion charges.

Their attorneys maintain that the couple are innocent.

A CASE THAT IS STILL UNFOLDING

The investigation is far from over.

Authorities are continuing to examine the family’s surrogacy arrangements, the conduct of the nannies and what happened to the children inside the Arcadia mansion.

For now, the most disturbing details remain allegations contained in a criminal case that has only just entered the court system.

What investigators say they discovered inside the home has already drawn national attention — not only because of the number of children involved, but because prosecutors allege that some of the abuse was captured by the very surveillance system intended to monitor the household.

As the legal proceedings move forward, the children at the center of the case remain in protective custody while investigators work to establish the full truth of what happened behind the mansion’s doors.