I was friends with her for several years. I took all that she told me about the kid at face value. Since she accused me of being a coward (by thinking I would send an anonymous text) lying (by denying I sent the text) which ended our friendship, I have probably overthought everything she told me, but I suspect that she has done all she can to protect the kid and refuses to believe he is anything but an angel. I've kept an extensive journal, just about what the kid is doing and also things she told me, that others told me and what I've seen.
Their home is on the other side of the hill, off the main road, at the end of a dead end street. The house is well-built and you can't hear or see anything when you are inside. I watched her dogs for her, and spent time in the house. Anyway, if the kid leaves their house and comes down into the neighborhood, she doesn't have a clue what he does, and doesn't believe anyone who tries to tell her. We have a mutual friend and they has told me things that make me realize that you are right about what the kid needs. I also think that no one else in the family wants to take him on and they are parking him at grandma's because she's the only person who wants him. The way she lets him run wild, I'm not even sure about that!