California couple at center of surrogacy scandal arrested on child abuse charges
A California couple was arrested Tuesday in connection with allegations of child abuse, according to a law enforcement source who spoke to CBS News. Officials later discussed the case at a news conference.
The pair came to wider attention after police searched their Arcadia home in July 2025. Authorities removed 21 children, most of them born through surrogacy, and placed them in state custody.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the complaint describes alleged beatings, severe punishment and abuse. The article does not identify the specific charges filed against the couple.
Officials said the investigation started in May 2025, after Zhang took a two-month-old boy with a head injury to a hospital. Arcadia police asked the county sheriff’s department to help in early September.
A neighbor reported seeing helicopters and police near the home, with the block closed off by tape. The article provides no further details on the arrests or what procedural steps will follow.
Key points
- The couple was arrested Tuesday over alleged child abuse.
- Authorities took 21 children into state custody after a 2025 search of the Arcadia home.
- Investigators say the case began after a baby was brought to hospital with a head injury.