A surrogate mother from Nevada who believed she was helping a Chinese couple fulfill their dream of having a baby is now part of a group of surrogates seeking answers after 21 children were removed from the care of Guojun Xuan, 65, and Silvia Zhang, 38, in Arcadia, California.
Tronderrica James, 30, alleges in a lawsuit that she was misled by Xuan and Zhang, who she claims intentionally misrepresented themselves to her.
James and other surrogates were contacted through Facebook by representatives from Mark Surrogacy or Future Spring Surrogacy, who informed them they would be carrying a child for a Chinese couple in Los Angeles. However, they were not aware that both agencies were controlled by Xuan and Zhang.
Xuan and Zhang, who were arrested on suspicion of child abuse and neglect, are currently facing a state child abuse investigation. The couple claims to be parents to all the children and are fighting to regain custody through courts in four states.
Some of the surrogate mothers, including Hallie Weaver, 30, and Kayla Elliott, are seeking custody of the babies they carried for Xuan and Zhang, as legal battles ensue over the children.
Xuan and Zhang have filed lawsuits against surrogates who cut off contact before giving birth, claiming breach of contract and demanding custody of the newborns.
James and her husband are seeking damages in their lawsuit, alleging fraud, breach of contract, and emotional distress.
Kayla Elliott, who gave birth to one of Xuan and Zhang’s babies, believes there may be trafficking involved and is fighting for custody of the child.
The investigation into Xuan and Zhang is looking into whether they were involved in selling babies, although Zhang denies any wrongdoing.
