Inquiry starts after 21 kids saved from couple in California

California Officials Investigate Surrogacy Fraud

California authorities are looking into potential surrogacy fraud after seizing 21 children tied to a couple in the Los Angeles area.

Fifteen of the children were removed from the couple’s residence, while six others, discovered living elsewhere, are now under the care of a child welfare agency. The age range of these children is between two months and 13 years, according to reports from the Associated Press.

The legal guardians are identified as Sylvia Chang, 38, and Guojun Xuan, 65.

Arcadia Police Lt. Kollin Cieadlo mentioned, “We believe that one or two were biologically born to mothers. Some deputies have indicated they were representing the kids.”

The investigation escalated after hospitals reported that a baby in the couple’s care had suffered a traumatic head injury, leading to their arrest earlier this year. However, Arcadia police noted that negligence charges have not been formally pursued.

Cieadlo indicated that Chang possessed what appears to be legitimate birth certificates for many of the children, listing her as their mother. Interestingly, Xuan reportedly expressed a desire for a large family to police.

According to the Associated Press, several women claimed to be surrogate mothers for Chang and Xuan. It’s also noteworthy that the couple had previously registered a business, Mark Surrogacy Investment LLC, at their address, although that license expired last month.