ARCADIA, California — A child abuse investigation in Southern California has expanded into a broader inquiry involving surrogacy arrangements after authorities confirmed that 21 children have been placed in protective custody while investigators examine allegations involving a Los Angeles-area couple.
The children, ranging in age from about 2 months to 13 years, were taken into the custody of the Los Angeles County child welfare agency after police responded in May to a report of an infant with a serious head injury, according to Arcadia police. Fifteen children were removed from the couple's Arcadia home, while six others connected to the household were located elsewhere.
Police said the investigation began after a hospital reported that a 2-month-old infant had suffered traumatic head injuries. Authorities allege surveillance footage showed a nanny physically abusing the child. Investigators also said the infant was not taken for medical treatment immediately after the injuries occurred. The nanny remains sought by authorities, while the wider investigation continues.
Arcadia police identified the adults under investigation as Silvia Zhang and Guojun Xuan, who authorities said are believed to be the legal parents of the children. Police said many of the children were born through surrogacy, and investigators are examining whether surrogate mothers across multiple states were misled during the process. Federal authorities, including the FBI, are assisting aspects of the investigation related to the surrogacy arrangements, according to police.
Police have said the investigation remains active and that no conclusions have been reached regarding the surrogacy-related allegations. Authorities have emphasized that the child welfare proceedings and the criminal investigation are continuing separately.
Several women who say they served as surrogate mothers have publicly stated they were unaware of the number of children linked to the couple and have sought custody or legal recognition of children they carried. The couple has denied wrongdoing through previous public statements, maintaining that they intended to build a large family through lawful surrogacy arrangements.
The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services has not publicly commented on the individual children's circumstances, citing confidentiality requirements governing child welfare cases. Authorities have likewise withheld identifying details about the children to protect their privacy.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing and urged anyone with relevant information to contact investigators. No additional criminal charges related to the broader child abuse investigation had been publicly announced as of Wednesday.
