Mom's the problem?

So, this article is totally fascintating. It's about an 18-year old kid who has been breaking into businesses and homes and just fleeing. Eighteen months ago he escaped from a half-way house and has been on the run ever since. The police have not been able to catch him. It's now at the point that he's stealing and then crash landing small aircraft. Oh yeah, he also does most of this while barefoot.

They interviewed his mom and she was actually quite proud of her son. Seriously. She even advised him to wear a parachute the next time he steals a plane. She wants him to escape to a country that won't extradite him. Again, seriously? It's clear as you read the article that he lacks any sort of positive parental influence in his life. He's like a Peter Pan in the modern world. Just playing and doing what he wants. This is a problem. I know he's committing crimes, but his mother committed the biggest one of all by being an absolutely crappy parent.