§ 373 — Buying minor for purposes of prostitution, etc.

373. Whoever buys, hires or otherwise obtains possession of any person below 21 years of age with intent that such person shall at any age be employed or used for the purpose of prostitution or illicit intercourse with any person or for any unlawful and immoral purpose, or knowing it to be likely that such person will at any age be employed or used for any such purpose, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine. Explanation.—Any prostitute, or any person keeping or managing a brothel, who buys, hires or otherwise obtains possession of a female below 21 years of age shall, until the contrary is proved, be presumed to have obtained possession of such female with the intent that she shall be used for the purpose of prostitution.