Police were called several times over the past few years to an Arcadia house where 21 children, many from surrogate mothers, had been living before they were taken into protective custody earlier this month, according to new documents obtained by NBCLA.
A man and woman who live at the home were arrested in May and released as detectives look into allegations of child abuse. Police responded to at least six 911 calls at the San Gabriel Valley home since January 2022, according to the documents obtained through a records request. Police may have responded to more 911 calls, but several calls were redacted from the documents.
Police centered in on the property after receiving a child abuse allegation in May. During the investigation, detectives discovered that nearly two dozen children, from 2 months to 13 years old, had been living inside the home.
Some of the 21 children were born through different surrogates, police said. Police have said they are investigating whether the children found at the home were part of a surrogacy scam.
One year ago Friday, police responded to a welfare check at the home, according to the documents obtained by NBCLA. The records also indicated there were calls from people who suspected an illegal business was operating at the property.
NBCLA reached out to Arcadia police for details about why some calls were redacted, but did not receive a response Friday afternoon.
NBCLA has made repeated attempts to contact the couple, but has not received a response. No criminal charges have been filed in connection with the investigation.
It is not clear how many children at the home were born to surrogate mothers, but one of the mothers was found in Texas by a bioethics watchdog group. The woman said she was misled into thinking her child was the only child who would be taken in at the Arcadia residence.
Arcadia police said the home was set up like a school. Cameras seized from the property showed the children being emotionally and physically abused by at least six nannies, according to law enforcement. Authorities said the video showed a nanny violently shaking and striking the hospitalized infant on May 5, resulting in a loss of consciousness.
An arrest warrant also was issued for a 56-year-old nanny.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the Arcadia Police Department at 626-574-5168.
Source: NBC Los Angeles