California couple with 21 children, most born via surrogates, charged in ‘house of horrors’ abuse case

A Southern California couple who had 21 children, most of whom were birthed by different surrogate mothers, lied to the surrogates and then subjected the children to vicious beatings and punishments, authorities said.

Silvia Zhang and Guojun Xuan were arrested Tuesday after authorities served a search warrant at their Arcadia mansion as part of a child abuse investigation. They have been charged with conspiracy to commit child abuse and witness intimidation.

Xuan also faces one felony count of child abuse, one felony count of accessory after the fact and five felony counts of dissuading a witness. Zhang also faces one count of accessory after the fact and four counts of dissuading a witness.

In court Tuesday afternoon, they pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations.

“This house could only be described as a house of horrors for these incredibly young children,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said at a Tuesday news conference.

Authorities began investigating the couple last year after a 2-month-old child was brought to the hospital with head injuries. Hochman, citing a criminal complaint, alleged that a nanny struck the baby in the head on May 4, 2025.

Xuan and Zhang did not seek medical attention…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business