by Staff Report
Maliko Minnieweather of Anacortes had to meet with the police recently. His mom, Lisa Ivy, got a call from Officer Del Ferrell of the Anacortes Police Department.
“I was like ... holding my breath for a second there,” she said, until she learned her son wasn’t in trouble.
Maliko, 11, attended the second annual four-day Little Citizens Academy, conducted in July by the police department in conjunction with other organizations and law enforcement agencies.
According to Officer Farrell, Minnieweather displayed a deep interest in the academy, and was especially focused during the crime lab session.
“My son has autism, but a high IQ, and he tends to get very interested in things,” Ivy said. “We hope that some day (he) will continue his education in engineering or science, whichever interests him.”
Maliko apparently made a big impression on the activity coordinators, prompting someone at the police department to buy him a microscope as a reward for being a good participant. Police Chief Bonnie Bowers presented the microscope to Maliko, who took the gift quite seriously, since he and his mom had been looking for a used one.
“He didn’t look as happy as he actually was,” Ivy said. “He was soooo serious, and when he got home, he got right to it!”
