A man in Costa Mesa, who worked as a nanny, is facing trial for using his position to sexually abuse young boys. According to Orange County prosecutors, Matthew Antonio Zakrzewski, 34, gained the trust of parents by offering his services as a caregiver for their children, only to exploit the opportunity to carry out his heinous acts. Deputy District Attorney Juliet Oliver revealed that Zakrzewski targeted over a dozen families in Southern California, starting in 2014. He advertised himself as experienced in working with children with developmental disabilities, particularly autism. Shockingly, Zakrzewski molested 17 of the children he was entrusted to care for, with the youngest victim being just 2 or 3 years old.
Oliver described how Zakrzewski would systematically babysit each child, using playtime as a way to manipulate and groom them. He would create a false sense of friendship and take them on “adventures,” all while building their affection towards him. Zakrzewski appeared in court for the first day of his trial, dressed in a gray suit jacket, a plaid shirt, and glasses. He listened to the prosecution’s accusations against him without displaying any emotion.
During the trial, the jury was shown photos of the boys allegedly assaulted by Zakrzewski. Both the prosecutor and Zakrzewski’s defense attorney warned the jury about the disturbing nature of the evidence they would witness throughout the proceedings. Judge Kimberly Menninger prohibited audio recording by television cameras to ensure the victims’ identities remained protected. Furthermore, the public was denied access to the footage Zakrzewski filmed, allegedly documenting his sexual acts with the victims.
In her opening statement, Zakrzewski’s defense attorney, Jennifer Ryan, urged the jury to maintain an open mind and avoid making rash judgments based solely on the evidence. Ryan encouraged the jury to consider the intent behind Zakrzewski’s actions as they reviewed the photos and videos presented during the trial.
The case against Zakrzewski began in May 2019 when a boy in Laguna Beach disclosed to his parents that the nanny had molested him months earlier. After investigating this incident, a Laguna Beach detective quickly discovered another boy in Los Angeles who had experienced similar misconduct by Zakrzewski a year prior. Although the Los Angeles boy initially hesitated to speak up about his ordeal, he eventually shared his account with the detectives. These two brave victims’ testimonies led to the exposure of Zakrzewski’s deceptive facade. Police obtained a search warrant for Zakrzewski’s home, where they seized his personal computer. The same day, they arrested Zakrzewski at Los Angeles International Airport and found him in possession of his cell phone and a digital camera.
Police discovered thousands of photos and videos on Zakrzewski’s cell phone, computer, and digital camera, all capturing the acts he committed with the children. Oliver emphasized that Zakrzewski meticulously recorded every interaction, displaying an obsessive level of detail and strategy. Zakrzewski, who referred to himself as a “manny” on his website, had worked for numerous families in Southern California. Following news of his arrest, more families came forward, accusing him of sexually assaulting their children.
During the trial, a mother from Laguna Beach testified that she hired Zakrzewski after searching for a nanny with experience caring for boys with behavioral disorders. Her son had been diagnosed with autism, making emotional regulation challenging for him. She explained how he would exhibit disruptive behaviors both at school and in public. When she came across Zakrzewski’s website, she was captivated by the images of him interacting with children, including both boys and girls. The website featured glowing reviews of Zakrzewski’s caregiving skills, creating the impression of a joyful and patient caregiver.
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