Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small and his wife LaQuetta, the city’s superintendent of schools, were charged with child endangerment and assault involving their teenage daughter. The charges stem from multiple incidents in December 2023 and January 2024, where the parents allegedly physically and emotionally abused their daughter. Marty Small was accused of hitting his daughter in the head with a broom, causing her to lose consciousness, as well as punching her in the legs and making threats. LaQuetta Small was accused of punching her daughter in the chest, mouth, and dragging her by the hair. Both parents were issued summonses for the charges against them.
Marty Small’s lawyer, Ed Jacobs, emphasized that the charges do not involve public corruption or any impropriety in Small’s official duties as mayor. He described the situation as a private family matter related to the challenges of raising a teenage daughter. Jacobs stated that the daughter has not been removed from the home and that the family is intact. The Smalls have been interacting with state child welfare authorities and are undergoing family therapy. The attorney declined to address the specifics of the charges related to the parents’ interactions with their daughter. The Atlantic City Board of Education’s president and vice president did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the charges.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office detailed the allegations against the Smalls, stating that Marty Small hit his daughter with a broom multiple times, punched her in the legs, and made threats of violence. LaQuetta Small was accused of physically assaulting her daughter in various ways, including punching her in the chest and mouth, and using a belt to strike her on the shoulders. The prosecutor’s office noted that the incidents resulted in bruises, marks, and emotional distress for the teenage daughter. Small declined to comment on the charges but referred reporters to his attorney for further information.
In a news conference earlier this month, Mayor Marty Small addressed the situation, describing the search of his home in late March as related to a private family issue rather than a criminal matter. He stated that he and his wife have been cooperating with state child welfare authorities and are engaged in family therapy. Small insisted that the situation should be treated as a family matter and emphasized that they have nothing to hide. The state Division of Child Protection and Permanency, which is involved in the case, cannot publicly discuss the specifics to protect the privacy of those involved. Small’s wife and children attended the news conference but did not speak and left before it was concluded.
The charges against Marty Small and LaQuetta Small have caused controversy in Atlantic City, where they hold positions of authority. The allegations of child endangerment and assault involving their daughter have raised concerns among residents and officials. The case has highlighted the challenges that families face in raising children, especially teenagers, and has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of parents and the role of public figures in the community. The outcome of the legal proceedings and the impact on the Smalls’ family dynamics remain to be seen as the case unfolds. It serves as a reminder of the complexities of family life and the importance of addressing issues of abuse and violence within households.
