California authorities were shocked to find over a dozen children living in a home while investigating a child abuse case involving a 2-month-old infant. The case, which unfolded in Arcadia, California, has raised serious questions about the practices of the couple at the center of the investigation, Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang.
The Abuse Incident
On May 7, Arcadia police were called to a local hospital where a 2-month-old infant was admitted with a traumatic brain injury and intracranial bleeding. The injuries were believed to have been caused by physical abuse.
Police traced the baby’s parents to their home on West Camino Real Avenue in Arcadia, a quiet neighborhood northeast of Los Angeles, where they made a shocking discovery.
Upon arriving at the residence, officers found not just the injured child, but a total of 15 other children living in the home. Several nannies were also present, and the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) was called to remove the children from the house and place them into foster care.
In addition, six other children who lived elsewhere but were associated with the couple were also taken into foster care.
Surveillance Footage and Arrests
Police obtained surveillance footage showing 56-year-old Chunmei Li, a nanny employed by the couple, allegedly shaking and striking the 2-month-old two days before the parents took the baby to the hospital.
At that time, the infant had already begun showing signs of distress, including seizures. Authorities say the parents failed to seek timely medical attention for the baby, leading to their arrests on charges of felony child endangerment and neglect.
Surrogacy Agency Under Scrutiny
Further investigation revealed that the couple, Xuan and Zhang, ran a surrogacy agency called Mark Surrogacy. The agency matches couples struggling to have children with surrogate mothers.
However, it appears that multiple women were acting as surrogates for the same couple, despite being told that the baby would be going to a couple looking for a second child. This revelation has added another layer of complexity to the case, as investigators now look into the legality of the surrogacy arrangement.
Kayla Pena, one of the surrogate mothers involved, has spoken publicly about the situation, expressing her desire to gain custody of the baby she gave birth to in March.
Pena claims she was told she was the only surrogate mother for the couple, but now believes that her child, who is currently in foster care, deserves a stable and loving home. Pena has set up a GoFundMe campaign to fund her legal battle for custody.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
The legal implications of having multiple surrogate mothers for one couple remain unclear, as there are no laws prohibiting the practice. However, Kallie Fell, executive director of the Center for Bioethics & Culture Network, expressed concerns about the potential dangers of commercial surrogacy in such cases.
She pointed out that while the arrangement may not be illegal, the situation highlights the risks inherent in the surrogacy industry.
Arcadia Police Lt. Kollin Cieadlo confirmed that the main focus of the ongoing investigation remains the child abuse case from May. Investigators are working with the FBI and child services to determine if any additional charges are warranted. The 2-month-old child is currently stable in the hospital, and authorities continue to assess the situation.
Statements from the Parents and Legal Experts
In response to the allegations, Silvia Zhang issued a statement denying any wrongdoing. “Any accusations of wrongdoing are misguided and wrong. We look forward to vindicating any such claims at the appropriate time when and if any actions are brought,” she told KTLA.
While the surrogacy practices of Xuan and Zhang are being questioned, legal experts have stated that it is not illegal to hire multiple surrogate mothers. However, this case underscores the potential dangers and ethical concerns associated with commercial surrogacy arrangements, particularly when children’s safety is at risk.
