Arcadia surrogacy defendants face $20 million bail amid child abuse allegations

Guojun Xuan, 66, and Silvia Zhang, 39, face a $20 million bail order following allegations that they trapped and abused more than 20 surrogate children inside an Arcadia mansion. Prosecutors allege the couple operated a “learning center” where nannies were directed to physically beat children for minor misbehavior. Surveillance footage reportedly captured “thousands” of instances of physical abuse over a 10-day period.

During a court hearing, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney MacKenzie Teymouri revealed that Zhang had previously fled to China to avoid a 2019 child abuse investigation involving her oldest daughter. The prosecution also noted that the cremated remains of a surrogate child, who died shortly after birth in Florida, were found during a search of the home.

Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit child abuse and witness intimidation. While prosecutors sought bail as high as $100 million due to the defendants' wealth, Judge Caroline Lugo set the amount at $20 million. Defense attorneys argued for release, citing Xuan’s deteriorating health and disputing the severity of the abuse allegations.