What lies ahead for the children at the center of the California surrogacy scandal? Experts weigh in.

Key Points:

• A California couple, Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang, were arrested on conspiracy and child abuse charges involving 21 young children, mostly surrogate-born, who were removed from their Arcadia mansion and placed in state custody over a year ago.
• Prosecutors allege the couple subjected the children, many under age 4, to repeated physical abuse and monitored the abuse through 32 cameras, with incidents including Xuan encouraging a nanny to hit a child harder.
• The children welfare system in Los Angeles County has likely placed the children with relatives, foster parents, or communal living settings, with efforts focused on providing permanent, safe homes while the investigation continues.
• Surrogates who carried some of the children have expressed concern and interest in caring for the children, with some pursuing foster parenting and adoption despite legal challenges, as the couple's parental rights have not yet been terminated.
• Legal experts note surrogates face significant hurdles to regain custody but may seek to become foster parents or adopt if the charged couple's rights are terminated, with the state potentially prioritizing surrogates in placement decisions.