'Manny' Molested Children, Took Pornographic Images Of Minors

A 30-year-old southern California man who worked as a “manny” was accused of molesting two young boys under his care. Matthew Antonio Zakrzewski of Costa Mesa was arrested by Laguna Beach police earlier this month, authorities said Thursday.

Zakrzewski was facing four felony counts of sexual assault involving children under the age of 14 and 10. He was also charged with three counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, one count of oral copulation of a child under 10 and one count of possessing child pornography.

Investigation into Zakrzewski began after a couple told police he had inappropriately touched their 8-year-old.

“The Laguna Beach Police Department’s Major Crimes & Intelligence Unit immediately opened an investigation, which led to the identification of a second 7-year-old victim in the City of Los Angeles,” said a police statement.

Authorities said when they arrested Zakrzewski, they found the babysitter had taken pornographic images of several children. There was also other similar content he had accessed online from electronic devices at his home.

“There was video of himself with a child who has not been identified,” Laguna Beach Police Sgt. Jim Cota said, reported ABC.

As of Thursday, Zakrzewski was in jail on $1 million bail. Jail records showed he was scheduled to appear in court May 31. Authorities said they were looking into bringing more charges against the manny, as there could be more possible victims. Zakrzewski pleaded not guilty to charges against him.

“We’ve received several, and when I say several it’s been up to about 16 voicemails overnight on a phone line that we designed for just this investigation,” Cota told local KTLA5 news. “We now have confirmed six victims that we’re working with.”

“It’s quite disturbing and I have a feeling there’s going to be plenty more in this investigation,” Cota added. “It was actually sickening to me and the rest of the detectives — we put all of our focus into this investigation.”

On his personal website, Zakrzewski describes himself as a manny who relates well to children and serves them as a “buddy, big brother, role model, mentor.” Zakrzewski, whose qualifications include certified lifeguard and first-aid training, said he had six years of babysitting experience.

“I think the reason I connect easily with kids is because I am not just there to supervise, I participate,” he said on the website.

Some of Zakrzewski’s neighbors told CBS2 they were shocked after learning about the allegations against him

“You just don’t think that something so sickening is so close to your front door,” neighbor Bonnie Prosser said. “I’m just shocked. I can’t believe it.”

Another neighbor, a woman who did not want to be identified, said: “I’m very surprised and shocked... I did think it was odd when I knew he was doing a babysitting business, ’cause he’s a really smart kid.”