Flagler Beach police throw surprise birthday party for boy with autism

Isaiah Wiggins celebrated his 13th birthday with complete control of lights and sirens.

By Brian McMillan
| 5:13 p.m. February 19, 2020

Capt. Lance Blanchette and the Flagler Beach Police Department brought gifts for Isaiah Wiggins. Photos by Brian McMillan

Isaiah Wiggins got to ride through town, with full control of the lights and sirens.

Isaiah Wiggins and his mother, Laura Robinson. They have lived in Flagler County for three years. Photos by Brian McMillan

Chief Matt Doughney said he wanted to take advantage of an opportunity to show that law enforcement officers are friendly and care about the public they serve. "It means the world to us," he said.

Michelle Eaton, Isaiah's teacher at Old Kings Elementary School, attended the celebration, along with Eaton's daughter, Teresa.

Sandra Mancuso and her husband, Richard, don't know Laura Robinson well, but they learned about the party while sitting with her at the Hair Cuttery nearby and decided they wanted to see Isaiah's face when he got off the bus.

Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt Doughney

Susie Buttner, records clerk

Laura Robinson and Isaiah Wiggins

Matt Doughney

D. Ramirez, assistant to Chief Matt Doughney

Isaiah Wiggins

Rosanna Vinci and Isaiah Wiggins

Brenda Ray watches as Officer M. Guerrero talks with a child about Pokemon.

Isaiah Wiggins and Capt. Lance Blanchette

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

Isaiah Wiggins doesn't usually have much of a birthday celebration.

He's allergic to just about every kind of food, and he can't talk very well because of his autism. But for his 13th birthday, his mother, Laura Robinson, asked the Flagler Beach Police Department for a ride along, and they delivered even more than she expected. Just about the entire department showed up at his bus stop after school on Feb. 19, in front of Beach Village Apartments, to give him gifts in addition to the ride along.

"When you get the opportunity to make a positive difference in the life of a child, you drop everything and make it happen."

MATT DOUGHNEY, Flagler Beach police chief

When he got off the bus, his mother reported that Isaiah said, "I'm so excited! I got to hold back the tears, though."

The connection with FBPD was even more meaningful because Isaiah's father, who was a state trooper in Maryland, died when Isaiah was 4. "He loves policemen," Robinson said.

The idea began when Robinson visited the department and spoke to Records Clerk Susie Buttner. She told Capt. Lance Blanchette.

"I went right to the chief immediately," Blanchette recalled. "We're hoping it'll make him smile for a while."

"When you get the opportunity to make a positive difference in the life of a child, you drop everything and make it happen," said Matt Doughney, chief of the Police Department. "This is our first time at a surprise birthday party, but I can hope it's not the last."

Isaiah is in a life skills class as a sixth grader at Old Kings Elementary School, and his teacher Michelle Eaton also attended and gave him a big hug when he got off the bus.

Robinson, who has recently finished breast cancer treatments and is cancer-free, said her faith allows her to keep a positive attitude about life.

"Every child is a gift," she said, "and however that gift comes to you, that's what you receive, and you make the best of it. Nothing is impossible with God."

author

Brian McMillan

Brian McMillan and his wife, Hailey, bought the Observer in 2023. Before taking on his role as publisher, Brian was the editor from 2010 to 2022, winning numerous awards for his column writing, photography and journalism, from the Florida Press Association.