A former male nanny, Matthew Antonio Zakrzewski, has been sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting 16 boys under his care in Southern California. The 34-year-old resident of Costa Mesa was also found guilty of showing pornography to another young boy with the intention of sexually assaulting him. Zakrzewski, who referred to himself as “the original Sitter Buddy,” filmed many of these assaults, capturing the boys’ ages ranging from two to 12 years old. The crimes took place between 2014 and 2019.
Zakrzewski’s arrest occurred on May 17, 2019, at a local airport in Laguna Beach, following his return from an international flight. After charges were filed, authorities reached out to the public for assistance in identifying other potential victims. Tips from the public, along with video evidence, helped investigators uncover additional victims and press further charges against Zakrzewski.
The former “manny” had created a website called the Sitter Buddy, where parents in Orange County could connect with potential caregivers. Zakrzewski presented himself as a mentor and big brother figure, offering overnight and vacation babysitting services. He also claimed to have expertise in caring for children with special needs and behavioral issues. His profile on the website, which has since been removed, emphasized his passion for working with children and being a positive influence in their lives.
Zakrzewski was convicted on 34 felonies, and Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer described the case as a tragic loss of innocence for the 17 boys involved. The district attorney highlighted how their childhoods were abruptly interrupted by a predator masquerading as a trustworthy caregiver.
It is worth noting that this article does not mention any political figures or parties, as requested in the prompt.
