ATLANTIC CITY – The Atlantic City mayor and his wife, the Atlantic City superintendent of schools, were indicted Tuesday, Sept. 17.
Marty Small Sr., 50, and his wife, La’Quetta Small, 47, of Atlantic City, were both indicted on charges of second-degree endangering the welfare of a Child. Marty Small Sr. was also indicted on charges of third-degree terroristic threats and third-degree aggravated assault.
According to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, it is alleged that during the months of December 2023 and January 2024, the defendants physically and emotionally abused their 15/16-year-old-daughter on multiple occasions.
During one incident on Jan. 13, Marty Small, Sr. is alleged to have hit his daughter multiple times in the head with a broom causing her to lose consciousness. Another incident on Jan. 3 alleged that during an argument with his daughter, he continuously threatened to hurt her by “earth slamming” her down the stairs, grabbing her head and throwing her to the ground, and smacking the weave out of her head.
Another alleged incident involved Marty Small Sr. allegedly punching his daughter repeatedly in her legs causing bruising.
It is alleged that La’Quetta Small, during one incident, punched her daughter multiple times on her chest, leaving bruising. Another incident alleged that La’Quetta Small dragged her daughter by her hair then struck her with a belt on her shoulders leaving marks. Another incident alleged that La’Quetta Small punched her daughter in the mouth during an argument.
These incidents were investigated by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Victims Unit. The office notes charges are accusations, not proof of guilty. A charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
ACHS principal indicted
On Sept. 11, Atlantic City High School Principal Constance Days-Chapman was indicted by an Atlantic County Grand Jury on multiple counts related to allegations of failing to notify authorities about parental abuse of a student by La’Quetta Small and Marty Small Sr.
Days-Chapman, 39, of Atlantic City, was indicted on five counts of second-degree official misconduct, one count of second-degree pattern of official misconduct, one count of second-degree Endangering the welfare of a child, and one count of third-degree hindering apprehension of another.
Anyone with information about this incident or other serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at (609) 909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office’s Website at ACPO.Tips and provide information by filling out a form anonymously. Any concerned person can report suspicions of child abuse or neglect by calling their local police department or call the Child Abuse Hotline at (877) NJ-ABUSE / (877) 652-2873 / TTY: (800) 835-5510.
Crime Stoppers: People can also call Crime Stoppers at (609) 652-1234 or (1-800) 658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.