It shall be lawful for the managers of the houses of refuge and reform schools in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, when they have placed out their wards as apprentices, or given them up to their friends, to cause them to be returned to their custody, whenever it shall appear on complaint before a judge of the court of quarter sessions having jurisdiction, that the agreements made in their behalf have been violated, or they have been neglected or improperly treated by those who have been intrusted with them during their minority, and the said wards may be reclaimed by the said managers.