Why are some parents so selfish?

I got a text yesterday that a ‘friend’ needed help with school supplies and clothes-TWO DAYS before school starts.
Fine, I love the kid, so we took care of it, haircut, the works.
A friend is helping with his school supplies today.

He tells me she missed the orientation for the class, so he has no idea of his schedule.

He can’t play football this year because she wouldn’t send him to camp this summer.

He’s been listening to her and her live in fight non-stop for three weeks.

And….she’s going to jail for a couple weeks and he will live with another neighbor until she’s out.

He’s 13 years old, 315lbs and way too heavy, and he knows it. He’s mixed race in a mostly-white community. Literally so big, that the only shoes I could find to fit him were Nike slides.

After spending the afternoon with the kid, I just felt so angry at the mother for being so incredibly selfish, and her kid is paying the price-in so many ways.

Yes, I know I’m not a parent and I shouldn’t judge, but this woman has been arrested so many times, been through so many men, and these kids (she has one other child) just continually are left wanting.

What would you do or say, or just keep helping year after year and letting the kid know you’ve got his back?

My husband is checking with the school counselor today on whether he can still go out for football, or if camp is a requirement.

PS You know I went thru some of this stuff with an alcoholic mom, but never to this degree. I think I’m projecting some anger on to the mother, due to the kids pain.