I think that he was listed as a runaway in the computer just as procedure at the time of the call. However they immediately followed the protocol for a child that has gone missing due to abduction or obviously parental involvement. If you take a look at this document
https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/108768NCJRS.pdf it lists all of the procedures for different types of missing kids and while it's an older document, you can see all the steps were followed for the worst types of missing kids, not a runaway.
I believe when she called, sure it didnt appear to be priority based on how long it took them to come. However, Im positive that when they started asking her questions she was a suspicious loon at the start. She didnt go to any friends houses or neighbors houses to ask. She didnt even offer any houses he could be at. Within 5 min of talking to her it looks suspicious that a child stayed home from school, then took off to a friends. I mean even the search on his phone looks staged. I dont think these people are stupid and I think TS didnt come off as concerned or distraught either.
When LE got there you have red flags that he didnt go to school, he went to a friends that she doesnt know, she also didnt see him leave, and uhh thats about all she has to offer up. And let's face it that shes also a step parent, not a bio one. Add to that I doubt she was crying or panicked in her demeanor. I thought my daughter was lost at school once because she never came out of the building and it was the longest 5 min of my life while she was located. I'm not being dramatic here, but it felt like I couldn't breathe and time stopped