ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his wife, La’Quetta, the city’s superintendent of schools, have been indicted on child endangerment and other charges for allegedly beating their teenage daughter on numerous occasions, prosecutors said Wednesday.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said the indictment was made Tuesday by a grand jury that accused the couple of child endangerment. Marty Small also was charged with assault and making terroristic threats.
Prosecutors said both parents hit and emotionally abused the girl, who was 15 to 16 years old, on multiple occasions in December and January.
“This indictment has absolutely nothing to do with Marty Small’s tenure as mayor of Atlantic City,” said his lawyer, Ed Jacobs. “There’s no charge of corruption or any official misconduct. Marty and La’Quetta Small don’t need the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office meddling into a private family matter.”
“Marty and La’Quetta are a good mom and dad raising a teenage child,” he said. “They are totally innocent and will be totally exonerated.”
Jacobs would not say whether the girl is still living at home with her parents.
Prosecutors said that on Jan. 13, 2024, Marty Small Sr. hit his daughter multiple times in the head with a broom, causing her to lose consciousness.
Ten days earlier, they said, Small engaged in an argument with his daughter, grabbing her head and throwing her to the ground, and threatening to throw her down a flight of stairs. He threatened to “smack the weave out” of her head during the incident, according to prosecutors.
The 50-year-old Democratic mayor also is accused of punching his daughter repeatedly in the legs, causing bruising.
La’Quetta Small, 47, is accused of punching her daughter multiple times on the chest, leaving bruising. In another alleged incident, she is accused of dragging her daughter by the hair and striking her with a belt on her shoulders, leaving marks.
In yet another incident, La’Quetta Small is accused of punching her daughter in the mouth during an argument.
The indictment of the Smalls came less than a week after the principal of Atlantic City High School was indicted in a case stemming from the same incidents.
Constance Days-Chapman was indicted on official misconduct, child endangerment and other charges for allegedly failing to report the alleged abuse of the Smalls’ daughter to state child welfare authorities as required by law and school district policy.
Days-Chapman is a close friend of the Smalls; La’Quetta Smalls is her boss.
According to the indictment, in December the girl, who was 15 at the time, told Days-Chapman she was suffering continuous headaches from being beaten by her parents in their home.
But instead of telling authorities, Days-Chapman instead told the Smalls.
Her lawyer says she is innocent.
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The Mayor of Atlantic City, Frank Gilliam, and his wife, Saleemah Gilliam, have recently been indicted for the alleged physical abuse of their teenage daughter. The shocking news has sent shockwaves through the community and raised questions about the behavior of those in positions of power.
The allegations against the Gilliams stem from an incident that reportedly took place at their home in Atlantic City. According to reports, the couple’s 17-year-old daughter called the police to report that her parents had physically assaulted her during an argument. The teenager claimed that her father had punched her in the face and her mother had hit her with a broomstick.
The Mayor and his wife have both denied the allegations, with their attorney stating that they are “innocent until proven guilty.” However, the indictment has cast a dark cloud over their reputations and raised concerns about their ability to lead the city effectively.
The Mayor of Atlantic City is a prominent figure in the community, responsible for overseeing the city’s operations and representing its residents. The allegations of abuse have called into question his fitness for office and raised concerns about his character and judgment.
In response to the indictment, Mayor Gilliam has stated that he will continue to fulfill his duties as Mayor and cooperate with the legal process. However, many residents are calling for his resignation, arguing that someone accused of such serious crimes should not be allowed to hold public office.
The case has also sparked a larger conversation about the prevalence of domestic violence and the need for accountability among those in positions of power. It serves as a reminder that no one is above the law, regardless of their status or influence.
As the legal process unfolds, it is important for the community to remain vigilant and demand justice for the alleged victim. The well-being of the Mayor’s daughter must be the top priority, and steps must be taken to ensure her safety and protection.
In conclusion, the indictment of the Mayor of Atlantic City and his wife for the alleged physical abuse of their teenage daughter is a troubling development that has raised serious concerns about their fitness for office. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of holding those in positions of power accountable for their actions and ensuring that justice is served for all victims of abuse.
