A Chinese couple lost custody of their 21 surrogate-born children after a brutal nanny abuse raid, yet brazenly pursued even more babies across state lines, igniting a firestorm over unregulated surrogacy’s dark underbelly.
Raid Uncovers Abuse in Surrogate Nursery
Arcadia police executed a search warrant on May 2025 at the Camino Real Avenue home of Guojun Xuan, 65, and Silvia Zhang, 38. Officers found 15 children, ages 2 months to 13 years, in a daycare-like setup.
Surveillance footage captured nanny Chunmei Li spanking toddlers on tables and yelling harshly. A 2-month-old infant suffered severe head trauma, likely from shaking or dropping, prompting the raid. Li, 56, faces an arrest warrant and remains at large.
Detectives seized cameras that revealed physical and verbal discipline in multiple instances. Captain Kollin Cieadlo described conditions as “horrific” and unprecedented. Six additional children surfaced elsewhere, all surrogate-born under the couple’s guardianship. Los Angeles County DCFS placed every child in protective custody, with 17 under age 3.
Couple’s Secret Surrogacy Empire Emerges
Xuan and Zhang immigrated from China and operated Mark Surrogacy and Future Spring Surrogacy from their property. They recruited surrogates via Facebook, lying about having zero or one child. Birth mothers like Kayla Elliot discovered the deception post-delivery. The home doubled as an office and nursery, complete with nannies and teachers. Neighbors heard constant screams and saw crowds of uniformed toddlers.
FBI investigations began in 2023 after surrogate tips. Agents contacted four surrogates and two attorneys before the raid. No federal surrogacy regulations exist, leaving oversight to inconsistent state laws. California permits commercial surrogacy, enabling this unchecked expansion. Experts decry the industry’s “anything goes” ethos.
New Babies Spark Multi-State Custody Wars
Despite losing their 21 children, Xuan and Zhang pursued five more surrogacies in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. Surrogates Melissa Epps and Stacy King refused to surrender newborns, prompting $1 million breach-of-contract lawsuits from the couple. States intervened, placing these infants in custody. The parents demand that all children be returned, blaming media sensationalism.
Law enforcement reviews translated home audio for further abuse evidence. LA County DA holds off on charges against Xuan and Zhang pending federal input. FBI scrutiny targets potential fraud or trafficking, not just endangerment. Surrogates label it a scam, aligning with police findings over the couple’s denials.
Unregulated Industry Risks Child Trafficking
This scandal spotlights surrogacy’s wild west. Agencies face no federal oversight, allowing deception and abuse at scale. Kallie Fell of the Center for Bioethics and Culture warns that clinics operate without rules. Common sense, rooted in conservative family principles, rejects commodifying children for profit. Facts support surrogates and authorities: contracts can’t override abuse evidence or lies to birth mothers.
Over 26 children now endure foster care trauma. Neighbors in the Arcadia suburb endured disturbances. Lawsuits drain surrogates financially. Broader calls grow for national regulation to prevent exploitation. Police confirm no prior complaints, but the operation’s secrecy enabled rapid growth. Outcomes hinge on ongoing probes and prioritizing child safety over adult ambitions.
Sources:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-couple-21-children-surrogate-babies-custody/
https://fortune.com/2025/07/18/why-no-federal-rules-regulation-for-surrogacy-21-children-removed/