When a widow, divorced woman or unmarried mother gains a new settlement by marriage, if, at the time of such marriage her child is not in her custody and is receiving care at public expense, the settlement of such child shall not follow that of its mother until such time as the child has been returned to the custody of its mother and has remained in her care without receipt of public assistance for the period of 1 year.
N.J.S. § 30:4-49.5