California couple at center of surrogacy scandal arrested on child abuse charges

Updated on: October 6, 2026 / 3:53 PM EDT / CBS News

A California couple at the center of a surrogacy scandal was arrested on Tuesday. A law enforcement source confirmed the arrests to CBS News shortly before officials held a news conference to announce the latest developments.

Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang are being charged with multiple counts including conspiracy to commit child abuse and dissuading a witness, Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. He is asking for bail to be set at $100 million.

The couple drew national headlines last year after authorities raided their Arcadia mansion in July 2025 and took 21 kids, mostly surrogate-born, into state custody.

Tuesday morning, detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department arrested the couple at their residence. They were transferred to the Pasadena courthouse where they are currently being arraigned, Sheriff Robert Luna said.

"What has been publicly filed in the complaint today is incredibly disturbing. It involves horrific punishment and beatings and child abuse," Hochman said at the news conference.

Melissa Brisman, an attorney for two of the surrogates involved in the case, told CBS News, "This is wonderful news that people will be held responsible for…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/world/