Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his wife have been charged with physically and emotionally abusing their teenage daughter. The charges include endangering the welfare of a child, terroristic threats, aggravated assault, and simple assault. The abuse allegedly occurred between December 2023 and January 2024 when the daughter was 15 and 16 years old. The incidents involved Marty Small striking his daughter with a broom, threatening to harm her, and punching her in the legs. La’Quetta Small also allegedly assaulted her daughter by punching her, dragging her by her hair, and hitting her with a belt.
Mayor Small and his wife have refused to comment on the charges and have directed all inquiries to their attorney. The allegations against them were brought to light after their home was searched in March, and they attended a news conference in April where the mayor denied rumors about his daughter and addressed the arrest of a school principal for failing to report abuse. The Atlantic City spokesperson declined to comment on the allegations and referred all questions to the mayor’s attorney. The investigation into the case was conducted by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Victims Unit, and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the office.
The allegations against Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his wife have shocked the Atlantic City community, as they are both prominent figures in the city. Marty Small, a 50-year-old Democrat, has been mayor since 2019, while La’Quetta Small is the superintendent of the Atlantic City Public Schools. The accusations of abuse against their daughter paint a disturbing picture of their family life, with incidents of physical violence and emotional trauma detailed in the charges. The mayor’s refusal to comment on the charges further adds to the seriousness of the situation.
The specifics of the abuse outlined in the charges include Marty Small striking his daughter with a broom, threatening to harm her, and punching her in the legs, causing bruising. La’Quetta Small is accused of punching her daughter, dragging her by her hair, hitting her with a belt, and leaving marks on her. The physical and emotional abuse allegedly occurred over a period of several months, indicating a pattern of harmful behavior towards the teenager. The charges against the Smalls highlight the importance of protecting vulnerable children from abuse and holding parents accountable for their actions.
Despite the serious nature of the charges, Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his wife have chosen not to comment on the allegations. Their decision to direct inquiries to their attorney suggests that they are taking a defensive stance in response to the accusations of abuse. The impact of the charges on their personal and professional reputations remains to be seen, as the Atlantic City community grapples with the shock of such serious allegations being made against two prominent figures in the city. The investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Victims Unit underscores the importance of taking reports of abuse seriously and seeking justice for victims.
The case involving Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his wife serves as a reminder of the prevalence of child abuse and the need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable children. The allegations of physical and emotional abuse against their daughter shed light on the dark reality that some children face within their own families. The charges against the Smalls are a sobering reminder of the importance of holding parents accountable for their actions and ensuring the safety and well-being of children. The community’s response to the allegations will likely influence the outcome of the case and the future of the Smalls’ positions in Atlantic City.
