No person having the care, custody or control of any child under the age of fourteen (14) years shall cause or permit any such child to be exhibited, used or employed, or shall apprentice or let out, or otherwise dispose of any such child to any person for the occupation or purpose of singing or playing on musical instruments on the public ways or of rope or wire walking, dancing, begging or peddling or as a gymnast, contortionist, rider or acrobat in any place whatsoever, or for any obscene, indecent or immoral exhibition or purpose, or in or above any business, exhibition or occupation injurious to the health or dangerous to the life or limb of such child, or cause, procure or encourage any such child to engage therein.
No person shall take, receive, employ, use, exhibit or have in custody any child under the age of fourteen (14) years for the purpose of employing such child in the manner expressly prohibited in this section, and no person having the care or custody of any child shall wilfully cause or permit such child to be placed in such a situation that its life or health may be endangered. (1956 Code § 40-8)