Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small held a news conference to address the search of his home by prosecutors last week, stating that it was related to a private family issue rather than a crime. Small and his wife, LaQuetta Small, the city’s superintendent of schools, have been working with state child welfare authorities and have nothing to hide. The search involved five warrants naming the mayor and his wife, with investigators seizing two cellphones and between four to six laptops. Small’s attorney emphasized that the investigation stemmed from a personal family matter and not criminal activity.
The search of the mayor’s home involved 20 heavily armed officers from the prosecutor’s office, with some carrying rifles and battering rams. However, no charges have been announced against either of the Smalls following the raid. The prosecutor’s office issued a statement in response to Small’s news conference, asserting that their officers followed all policies and protocols, acted professionally, and treated the Smalls with respect. The search occurred shortly after the announcement of charges against the principal of Atlantic City High School for failing to report suspected child abuse, leading to various charges including official misconduct and obstruction of justice.
Constance Days-Chapman, the principal charged with failing to report child abuse, is also the president of the city’s Democratic Committee and played a role in Marty Small’s mayoral reelection campaign. While it was not confirmed whether the student involved in the charges is the daughter of the Smalls, Small defended the principal and emphasized their close relationship. Referring to Atlantic City’s history of political corruption, Small differentiated the current situation, stating that they are managing significant taxpayer funds and performing well in their roles. The previous corruption in the city’s history was highlighted in the TV series “Boardwalk Empire,” and Small emphasized that the current situation was unrelated to those past issues.
The principal, Days-Chapman, did not respond to messages seeking comment on the charges brought against her. The charges stemmed from a case where a juvenile student disclosed emotional and physical abuse at the hands of their parents to school staff, with Days-Chapman failing to report the abuse as required by law. Small reiterated his support for the principal, emphasizing her innocence and loyalty to their family. The situation involving the search of the mayor’s home and the charges against Days-Chapman has brought attention to the city and raised questions about the handling of family matters and obligations to report abuse or misconduct.
Small’s insistence that the search was related to a private family issue and not criminal behavior, coupled with his defense of the principal charged with failing to report child abuse, has sparked discussions about transparency and accountability in Atlantic City. As the investigation continues and more details emerge, the community will be looking to understand the implications and ensure that any issues related to child welfare or misconduct are addressed appropriately. The mayor’s statements and actions following the search of his home will continue to be scrutinized as the situation develops, shedding light on the complexities of public and personal responsibilities in a high-profile position.
