Section 21-104. Term of commitment of children; discharge

a. The term of
  commitment of each destitute and neglected child shall be:
    1. Until such child shall attain the age of sixteen years, or
    2. Until such child shall be given over in adoption by the institution
  to which it shall have been committed to some suitable person, or
    3. Until such child shall be returned to its  parents,  relatives,  or
  guardians, or otherwise discharged.
    b.  The  commissioner,  may,  however, provide care in an institution,
  agency boarding home, or family free or boarding home for any  destitute
  minor  between  sixteen and eighteen years of age who cannot be properly
  cared for in his or her own home, either directly or through  authorized
  agencies,  except that direct placements in agency boarding homes may be
  made by the commissioner only if the state board of social welfare shall
  have authorized him or her to operate such homes and  only  if  suitable
  care  is  not otherwise available through an authorized agency under the
  control of persons of the same religious faith as the child.  Such  care
  may be continued after the eighteenth birthday of the minor and until he
  or she is discharged from care or becomes twenty-one years of age.