A former nanny, Matthew Antonio Zakrzewski, 34, has been found guilty of 34 felony charges, including sexual abuse of 16 boys aged between 2 and 12 years old. Zakrzewski, who also produced and distributed child pornography, could face a life sentence for his crimes.
The investigation into Zakrzewski began in 2019 when a family from Laguna Beach, California, accused him of sexually abusing their 8-year-old son. This initial accusation led to the discovery of additional victims who had been abused by Zakrzewski between 2014 and 2019.
Laguna Beach Police Sergeant Jim Costa expressed his disgust at the case, stating that it was deeply disturbing to him and his fellow detectives, who dedicated their full attention to the investigation. If convicted, Zakrzewski could face up to 690 years in prison. His bail has been set at $1 million, according to court documents.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer released a statement condemning Zakrzewski’s actions. He highlighted the unimaginable terror the young boys had to endure due to the betrayal by their babysitter. Spitzer praised the courage of the young victims who testified against their abuser, as well as the support provided by their parents. He emphasized that by standing up to Zakrzewski, they were ensuring that the voices of sexual assault victims were heard and protecting other children from potential harm.
During the trial, Deputy District Attorney Juliet Oliver described Zakrzewski as a master manipulator who not only groomed the children but also their parents. She stated that Zakrzewski had fooled everyone and had meticulously planned and executed his exploitation of the children over several years.
Zakrzewski was a founding member of “Sitter Buddy,” a website designed to connect parents with potential caregivers. On his profile, he described himself as a “manny” who offered mentorship, big brother relationships, and even overnight babysitting.