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February 17, 2026

Atlantic City mayor, wife charged with endangering welfare of daughter

ATLANTIC CITY – On Monday, April 15, Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr., 50, and his wife, La’Quetta Small, 47, of Atlantic City, were both charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Marty Small, Sr. was additionally charged with third-degree terroristic threats, third-degree aggravated assault, and disorderly persons simple assault. 

La’Quetta Small was additionally charged with three separate counts of disorderly persons simple assault. The charges were placed on summonses for both defendants.

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, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.

During one incident, 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 alleged that Marty Small, Sr., during an argument with his daughter, 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. 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.

These charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt. In all criminal cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

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