If any relative who has been ordered to maintain an institutionalized dependent person or an institutionalized child of a dependent person under 18 years of age neglects to do as ordered, the authorities in charge of the dependent or child or in charge of the institution may recover in an action on behalf of the relief agency or institution for relief or support accorded the dependent person or child against such relative while the order was disobeyed and up to the time of judgment, with costs.