In a bizarre case of reproductive exploitation, Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang, an unmarried couple, are fighting for custody of nearly two dozen children - most under the age of 3. The children were born through surrogacy, with many of them being taken into state custody in California after a 2-month-old son was brought to the hospital with severe injuries that medical staff suspected were caused by child abuse.
The couple's unusual arrangement drew national attention when authorities raided their Arcadia home and took 21 kids into custody. Since then, Xuan and Zhang have had at least five more surrogate-born babies in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Georgia - all of whom were also taken into state custody.
Xuan and Zhang are claiming that they did nothing wrong and that the allegations against them are "over sensationalized and false." However, evidence suggests otherwise. Surveillance footage obtained by police shows Xuan and his staff disciplining children with physical punishment, while neighbors have reported hearing screaming from within the home and witnessing adults being aggressive towards young children.
The couple's case has also raised concerns about international surrogacy and child trafficking. Wealthy Chinese nationals have flocked to America to hire surrogates, often without being aware of the risks involved. A recent study found that over 42% of foreign nationals who traveled to the U.S. to work with surrogates were from China, where surrogacy is illegal.
Xuan and Zhang's legal troubles continue to mount, with their real estate and business portfolio facing scrutiny by law enforcement. In September, the neighboring city of El Monte filed a civil abatement claim targeting one of Xuan's properties, alleging an "illegal casino" and indicators of an illicit cannabis operation.
As the investigation into Xuan and Zhang continues, CBS News is exploring how international surrogacy arrangements can be exploited for human trafficking purposes. The couple's case highlights the need for greater regulation and oversight in the reproductive technology industry to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly children.
The U.S. Senate has introduced a bill to ban foreign nationals from using surrogacy services, citing concerns about child trafficking and exploitation. The legislation aims to prevent wealthy foreigners from taking advantage of American surrogate mothers and to establish clearer guidelines for international surrogacy arrangements.
The case against Xuan and Zhang is ongoing, with the couple fighting to regain custody of their children. However, as CBS News continues to investigate this story, it is clear that the true extent of the couple's exploitation and the impact on their victims will only be fully revealed in time.
The couple's unusual arrangement drew national attention when authorities raided their Arcadia home and took 21 kids into custody. Since then, Xuan and Zhang have had at least five more surrogate-born babies in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Georgia - all of whom were also taken into state custody.
Xuan and Zhang are claiming that they did nothing wrong and that the allegations against them are "over sensationalized and false." However, evidence suggests otherwise. Surveillance footage obtained by police shows Xuan and his staff disciplining children with physical punishment, while neighbors have reported hearing screaming from within the home and witnessing adults being aggressive towards young children.
The couple's case has also raised concerns about international surrogacy and child trafficking. Wealthy Chinese nationals have flocked to America to hire surrogates, often without being aware of the risks involved. A recent study found that over 42% of foreign nationals who traveled to the U.S. to work with surrogates were from China, where surrogacy is illegal.
Xuan and Zhang's legal troubles continue to mount, with their real estate and business portfolio facing scrutiny by law enforcement. In September, the neighboring city of El Monte filed a civil abatement claim targeting one of Xuan's properties, alleging an "illegal casino" and indicators of an illicit cannabis operation.
As the investigation into Xuan and Zhang continues, CBS News is exploring how international surrogacy arrangements can be exploited for human trafficking purposes. The couple's case highlights the need for greater regulation and oversight in the reproductive technology industry to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly children.
The U.S. Senate has introduced a bill to ban foreign nationals from using surrogacy services, citing concerns about child trafficking and exploitation. The legislation aims to prevent wealthy foreigners from taking advantage of American surrogate mothers and to establish clearer guidelines for international surrogacy arrangements.
The case against Xuan and Zhang is ongoing, with the couple fighting to regain custody of their children. However, as CBS News continues to investigate this story, it is clear that the true extent of the couple's exploitation and the impact on their victims will only be fully revealed in time.
this whole thing is just so sad 
... like 24+ kids under 3? what's wrong with these people?! 
it's like, we need to protect these kids and make sure they're not being exploited by people who don't care about their well-being 
These two are just exploiting these poor surrogate moms like they're nothing. I mean, 21 kids under the age of 3 taken into custody... it's like something out of a horror movie. And to think some people are just raking in money from these surrogacy arrangements without caring about the consequences? 
It's disgusting. The fact that international surrogacy is basically a cash cow for wealthy Chinese nationals and other foreigners is just appalling. We need stricter regulations, like ASAP. 
the fact that they're claiming it's all false and over sensationalized just makes me want to scream 
. And let's be real, if a whole bunch of Chinese nationals are flocking to America for surrogacy, something fishy is gonna go down 
. We should def be regulating this industry better to prevent human trafficking and exploitation. It's not just about Xuan & Zhang, it's about all the other vulnerable kids who might get caught in the crossfire 
. And now there's even a bill being introduced to ban foreign nationals from using surrogacy services? About time 
. This whole situation is super sketchy and I don't think we'll ever really know what's really going on 
.
️. Like, can't believe what these two are doing to those poor kids 
. 21 kids taken away from them already? That's insane 
. And in this case, it's like a ticking time bomb 
. The fact that there are over 42% of foreign nationals from China who travel to the US for surrogacy services is wild 
. Like, we need stricter regulations ASAP 
.
. We need to protect those surrogate mothers and the children involved. It's like, basic human rights 
.
This whole surrogacy thing is wild but like what's really going on here? The fact that Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang are having all these kids just to keep them out of state custody is fishy to me 
. And what's up with all these international connections? China has banned surrogacy for a reason and now it sounds like these wealthy Chinese nationals are just exploiting American surrogate moms left and right 
.
. And what's with all these laws and regulations? Can't we just have a simple system that prioritizes kids' well-being instead of getting bogged down in politics? 
It's crazy how desperate people get when it comes to having a kid, and the lack of regulation in this whole surrogacy thing is just begging for disaster. The more I think about it, the more I'm like "guys, what's good with all these surrogate moms getting rich off some wealthy Chinese dude?" 
thats a good start imo
. And the weird thing is, people from China are taking advantage of US surrogacy services - 42% of them? That's crazy! The lack of regulation here is alarming and we need to see some serious changes. It's not just about this couple's case either, but about protecting all those vulnerable kids 
I'm literally shook by this couple's case. It's like they thought they were above the law just because they're rich and had access to surrogacy services. Newsflash: just because it's legal doesn't mean it's right! 
. And now they're introducing a bill to ban foreign nationals from using surrogacy services? That's a good start, I guess 
. But we need to do more than just slap on some rules and expect everything to magically fix itself 
.
. It's like, what are we doing to protect these kids? 
. The fact that some wealthy Chinese nationals are taking advantage of American surrogate mothers is just appalling 
. We need to do better to protect these vulnerable moms and kids 
And now we're dealing with cases of human trafficking and exploitation because of these lax laws. Like, what even is the point?!