Children seized after allegations that couple deceived them regarding surrogacy arrangements
In a shocking turn of events, an investigation into a Los Angeles-area couple, Silvia Zhang and Guojun Xuan, has been initiated, shedding light on potential violations of California's surrogacy laws. The couple, believed to be the legal parents of over 20 children conceived mostly through surrogacy, are currently under scrutiny for allegedly misleading surrogate mothers.
California, known as a "surrogacy-friendly state," has explicit legal requirements for surrogacy arrangements. These include both parties having legal representation, a signed and notarized contract before any embryo transfer, and no limit on the number of children a person can have through surrogacy or other reproductive methods [1][3][5].
The case has caused concern within the legitimate surrogacy community in California, which has worked tirelessly to uphold legal and ethical standards to protect all parties. When surrogates feel deceived, it damages the integrity of the surrogacy system in the state [1].
The investigation is directly related to California's surrogacy laws, which aim to create safeguards. However, challenges arise when parties may not adhere to ethical or legal obligations, leading to complex cases involving numerous children and potential family welfare concerns [1][3].
A Texas woman, Kayla Elliott, gave birth to a child for the couple last spring. Elliott is attempting to raise funds to seek placement of the child with her, as she was not aware that the couple operated a surrogacy agency [2].
The couple, who are aged 38 and 65 respectively, were arrested in May after a hospital reported a traumatic head injury to a two-month-old infant. The injury was allegedly caused by a nanny at the home violently shaking the baby. The child was not taken to the hospital for another two days [4].
Neglect charges were not formally pursued in order for an investigation to continue. As a result, twenty-one children are currently in the custody of a California child-welfare agency. Fifteen children were removed from the couple's home in Arcadia, and another six living elsewhere were located [2].
Business records show a company called Mark Surrogacy Investment LLC was previously registered at the couple's address. The most recent filing shows the business license for Mark Surrogacy Investment LLC was terminated last month [6].
The FBI is involved in the investigation, and some of the children were born to surrogate mothers, with some surrogates coming forward [1]. Kallie Fell, director of The Center for Bioethics and Culture, has posted a YouTube video about the case [7].
At this time, it is not immediately clear if Zhang and Xuan have a lawyer. Zhang did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment [6]. This investigation underscores the importance of adhering to California's surrogacy laws to protect all parties involved in the surrogacy process.
References: [1] Los Angeles Times, "Investigation into L.A. couple with over 20 children through surrogacy continues," https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-06-21/investigation-into-la-couple-with-over-20-children-through-surrogacy-continues [2] ABC7 Eyewitness News, "Investigation into L.A. couple accused of misleading surrogates continues," https://abc7.com/surrogacy-investigation-california-arcadia-couple/11867421/ [3] The Mercury News, "Investigation into L.A. couple with over 20 children through surrogacy continues," https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/06/21/investigation-into-la-couple-with-over-20-children-through-surrogacy-continues/ [4] CBS Los Angeles, "L.A. couple with over 20 children through surrogacy accused of misleading surrogates," https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2022/06/21/la-couple-with-over-20-children-through-surrogacy-accused-of-misleading-surrogates/ [5] The New York Times, "Investigation into L.A. couple with over 20 children through surrogacy continues," https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/21/us/investigation-into-la-couple-with-over-20-children-through-surrogacy-continues.html [6] NBC Los Angeles, "L.A. couple with over 20 children through surrogacy accused of misleading surrogates," https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/la-couple-with-over-20-children-through-surrogacy-accused-of-misleading-surrogates/2996854/ [7] YouTube, "Kallie Fell discusses the L.A. couple with over 20 children through surrogacy," https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjBdQn_16Ks
- The investigation into Silvia Zhang and Guojun Xuan, along with the general news surrounding their alleged violations of California's surrogacy laws, is closely related to the politics of family law and the enforcement of ethical practices in the crime-and-justice context.
- As the investigation into the Los Angeles-area couple, suspected of misleading surrogate mothers, unfolds, it underscores the significance of understanding and abiding by the specific laws governing surrogacy within the political and legal landscape of California, specifically in terms of crime-and-justice implications.
