A wealthy couple in the United States has been arrested on charges of abusing 21 children, the NY Post reports.
Guojun Xuan, 66, and Sylvia Zhang, 39—residents of California—are accused of the cruel treatment of 21 children. The millionaire couple held the children, ranging in age from two months to 13 years, in captivity within their mansion. During the day, the children were subjected to “homeschooling,” during which they were forbidden from getting up—under threat of being beaten. Nannies hired by Xuan systematically subjected the children in their care to physical abuse.
“They didn’t go to school outside the home. They didn’t go to playgrounds. They lived in this house and witnessed violence in the kitchen, in the bathrooms, in the bedrooms, in the hallways,” stated Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who described the case as unprecedented.
It is also reported that more than 30 surveillance cameras were installed throughout the house. One recording shows Xuan instructing a nanny to strike a child as hard as possible—without leaving visible marks—before joining in the beating himself. At night, he would check the children’s beds with a flashlight and beat anyone who was not asleep. Law enforcement also discovered the cremated remains of a child inside the home.
The District Attorney’s Office has charged Xuan with conspiracy and child abuse, while Zhang is accused of aiding and abetting her husband. It was also noted that, following their rescue, the children were so traumatized that they were afraid even to go to a park. They are currently under the care of the relevant agency.
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