So if a parent can't control a child then how can DOCS? And why should DOCS be expected to control them?

They didn't send him away either. He's going to VISIT his mother. Yes his mother would usually pay for the trip, but a child who is in the long term care of DOCS has all their needs paid for by....DOCS! There's no way his mother is going to pay for his flight when she doesn't have to.

I don't see it as wasting money. It's money that's allowing a mother to have contact with her child who lives in another state.