§49-7-5. Support of child placed in home or institution or under guardianship.
If it appears upon the hearing of a petition under this chapter that a person legally liable for the support of the child is able to contribute to the support of such child, the court or judge shall order the person to pay the state department, institution, organization, or private person to whom the child was committed, a reasonable sum from time to time for the support, maintenance, and education of the child.
The court or judge may require the person liable for the support to give reasonable security for payment. Upon failure to give security or to pay, the court or judge may enforce obedience by proceeding as for contempt of court. The court or judge may, on application, and on such notice as the court or judge may direct, from time to time, make such alterations in the allowance as shall appear reasonable and proper.