The board may receive into and maintain in the home's care, children under eighteen (18) years of age who are residents of the county and who are:
(1) Duly committed to the home's care; and (2) Such other children of the county as the board, or the superintendent or such other officers or employees as may be designated by the superintendent, with the approval of the board, may, in the absence of any judicial or official commitment, find for the best interest of such children, to receive them into the home's care, on the voluntary application of the parents jointly, or the parent having custody, or the nearest living blood relative, or a legally appointed guardian.