Wealthy LA Couple Amassed Over 20 Surrogate Children

New Yorker report uncovers legal and ethical issues behind couple's surrogate baby collection

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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A New Yorker investigation has revealed that a wealthy Los Angeles couple, Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang, quietly amassed more than 20 babies through American surrogates, only to have those children swept into foster care. The report follows Kayla Elliott, a Texas woman who signed on with the Mark Surrogacy agency in 2024 to carry a child for the couple, unaware that they had already accumulated roughly 20 other children born via different surrogates.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex legal and ethical issues surrounding the surrogacy industry, particularly when it comes to wealthy individuals exploiting the system to accumulate large numbers of children. It raises questions about the regulation of surrogacy, the rights of surrogate mothers, and the welfare of the children involved.

The details

Xuan, a 64-year-old businessman, and Zhang, his 36-year-old real-estate agent wife, reportedly used the Mark Surrogacy agency to bring in children from multiple surrogate mothers, often at the same time. There were also rumors that the babies were being created to be sold, which both Xuan and Zhang have denied. The case has resulted in the children being placed in foster care, as authorities investigate the legality and ethics of the couple's actions.

  • Kayla Elliott signed on with the Mark Surrogacy agency in 2024 to carry a child for the couple.
  • The New Yorker report was published on February 15, 2026.

The players

Kayla Elliott

A Texas woman who signed on with the Mark Surrogacy agency in 2024 to carry a child for the wealthy Los Angeles couple.

Guojun Xuan

A 64-year-old businessman who, along with his 36-year-old real-estate agent wife Silvia Zhang, reportedly used the Mark Surrogacy agency to amass more than 20 children from multiple surrogate mothers.

Silvia Zhang

The 36-year-old real-estate agent wife of Guojun Xuan, who reportedly used the Mark Surrogacy agency to amass more than 20 children from multiple surrogate mothers.

Mark Surrogacy

The surrogacy agency that Xuan and Zhang allegedly used to bring in children from multiple surrogate mothers.

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What they’re saying

“I thought I was helping a small family grow. I had no idea they were doing this on such a large scale.”

— Kayla Elliott, Surrogate mother (The New Yorker)

What’s next

Authorities are investigating the legality and ethics of Xuan and Zhang's actions, and the children have been placed in foster care while the case is resolved.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for stronger regulation and oversight of the surrogacy industry, to prevent wealthy individuals from exploiting the system and potentially harming the children and surrogate mothers involved.