I tend to agree with this BUT if at the point they realized they had been fed some fooey stew, why wouldn't they just come forward and speak the truth? I know for myself, if my son came to me and told me this story, then I found out I was fed fooey, I would definitely advise him to go face the consequences of his deeds. I would try to hire a good attorney to see if he could possibly make a plea deal instead of helping him run and hide; IF he did what most think he did.
This is why I think most are upset with the parents.
IF he never told them the full truth and just disappeared on his own, then we shouldn't be so hard on them but I find it hard to believe they did not know he was disappearing.