A self-proclaimed "manny" who served as a male nanny for families in Southern California will spend the rest of his life behind bars for sexually assa
A self-proclaimed
"manny" who served as a male nanny for families in Southern
California will spend the rest of his life behind bars for sexually assaulting
16 boys in his care, according to a release from the district attorney’s
office.
Matthew Antonio
Zakrzewski, 34, of Costa Mesa, was sentenced Friday to 705 years to life plus
two years and eight months for the sexual assaults and showing pornography to
another young boy he intended to sexually assault.
Zakrzewski filmed
many of these sexual assaults, the district attorney’s office said. The boys’
ages ranged between two and 12 years old. The crimes were committed between
2014 and 2019.
Laguna Beach
police arrested Zakrzewski on May 17, 2019, at a local airport after he
deplaned an international flight.
After criminal
charges were filed, authorities appealed to the public for help in locating
other potential victims. Video evidence and tips from the public helped
investigators identify additional victims and file additional charges against
Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski had
dubbed himself "the original Sitter Buddy" on the namesake website he
helped create. The website offered to connect parents in Orange County with
prospective caregivers. Zakrzewski characterized himself as a "manny"
who offered mentorships, big brother relationships and overnight and vacation
babysitting.
He also specified
that he was skilled with children with special needs and behavioral problems.
"At a very
early age, I discovered what a joy it was to work with children and be a
positive impact in their lives through the ‘Buddy Program’ at my middle
school," read his profile, which has since been taken down from the site.
"Now, I’m a career manny and my 6+ years childcare experience spans from
ages 3 months to 14, including special needs… I think the reason I connect
easily with kids is because I am not just there to supervise, I
participate."
"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," Orange
County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement.
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