SANTA ANA, CA – A male nanny from California was sentenced on Friday to more than 700 years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing 16 boys and showing pornography to a 17th under his supervision. Confirmed guilty of 34 felony counts, 34-year-old Matthew Zakrzewski committed his heinous crimes over a three-year period from January 2014 to May 2019. Addressing the court, Zakrzewski commented on his past actions: “I prided myself on bringing smiles to your children, and all the good times we shared were 100% genuine.”
Zakrzewski utilized his website to advertise his services, branding himself as “the original Sitter Buddy” and offering babysitting, mentorship programs, and overnight or vacation babysitting. Loved ones of the victims described the convicted abuser as a “master manipulator” in victim impact statements, with some expressing guilt for hiring Zakrzewski in the first place.
The case was dubbed a loss of innocence by the district attorney, as the 17 child victims had their childhoods abruptly and irrevocably tarnished. In her closing remarks of the previous trial, prosecutor Juliet Oliver divulged that Zakrzewski had a book on pedophilia on his computer, and most of the incriminating evidence utilized against him was footage he had filmed himself.
In May 2019, Zakrzewski’s reprehensible acts were exposed after one parent reported him to the police for inappropriate behavior with her 8-year-old son, also expressing concern for other children under the nanny’s care.
Zakrzewski was subsequently arrested upon disembarking an international flight at a local airport. More victims were identified through video evidence and public tips, subsequently leading to additional charges.