LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. (TCD) — A nanny was ordered to spend over seven centuries behind bars for sexually assaulting at least 16 underage boys in his care, including some toddlers, over the course of five years.
According to a Nov. 17 news release from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, a judge sentenced Matthew Zakrzewski to 705 years to life in prison with an additional two years and eight months for sexually assaulting 16 boys and showing a 17th victim child pornography with “the intent to also sexually assault him.”
He committed the crimes between Jan. 1, 2014, and May 17, 2019, and the victims ranged in age from 2 to 12 years old at the time of the assaults.
Prosecutors said Zakrzewski recorded many of his crimes against the children.
Laguna Beach Police initially arrested Zakrzewski on May 17, 2019, at a local Orange County airport before he was scheduled to take off on an international flight.
A couple reported to police that Zakrzewski had “inappropriately” touched their 8-year-old son while he was babysitting. The Laguna Beach Police Department’s Major Crimes launched an investigation and uncovered another victim from Los Angeles who was 7 years old, as well as 10 other victims around Southern California.
Zakrzewski was initially charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under the age of 14, oral copulation of a child under the age of 10, and possession of child pornography.
According to the district attorney’s office, investigators identified additional victims through video evidence and tips.
Zakrzewski, a self-proclaimed “manny,” reportedly called himself “the original Sitter Buddy” on his website. The district attorney’s office said he provided babysitting services, as well as mentorships, big brother relationships, and overnight and vacation babysitting.
On his website, Zakrzewski reportedly wrote, “In the eighth grade I discovered what a joy it was to work with children and be a positive impact in their lives through my school’s Buddy Program. Now, I am a full-service TrustLine Certified provider of regular and on-demand childcare, as well as mentoring services for children.”
In total, prosecutors ended up charging Zakrzewski with 27 felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under the age of 14, two felony counts of oral copulation of a child under 10, one felony count of possession of child pornography, and one felony count of using a minor for sex acts. Additionally, Zakrzewski was charged with two felony counts of distributing pornography to a minor for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct and one felony count of an attempted lewd or lascivious act with a minor under 14.
A jury convicted Zakrzewski on all 34 counts last month.
Some of the victims’ parents reportedly made impact statements in court. According to the district attorney’s office, one parent compared Zakrzewski “to an animal they blamed themselves for letting into their homes.”
Zakrzewski did not apologize for his actions and reportedly stated, “I prided myself on bringing smiles to your children and all the good times we shared were 100 percent genuine.”
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement, “This is a case of shattered innocence and precious childhoods that were robbed from 17 little boys. These children will never know the people they were truly intended to be — because their childhoods were suddenly and inexplicably interrupted not by a wolf at the door, but by a predator masquerading as godsend.”
Spitzer added, “We cannot undo the trauma inflicted so unnecessarily on these children, but we can do everything we can to help support these families as they try to put back together the broken pieces of their children.”
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