Mays Landing, New Jersey – Prosecutors announced they will not move forward with a child abuse trial against an Atlantic City schools superintendent, just weeks after her husband — the mayor of a coastal gambling resort — was arrested. He was acquitted of similar charges.
Marty Small Sr., 51, and Laquita Small, 49, are charged with wanton endangerment and Assaulting their teenage daughter. Atlantic City High School Principal Constance Days Chapman was also charged in the case because prosecutors said she failed to report the teen’s abuse to state child welfare officials. Both women pleaded not guilty.
Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds announced late Friday that his office will ask a judge to dismiss all charges against the two women. He said the decision was made after his office spoke with Smalls’ daughter — who turned 18 earlier this month — and decided she no longer wanted to pursue the case.
“Based on her wishes, taking into account the prior acquittal, and in an effort to not harm (the daughter) again with prosecutions against her mother and a longtime family friend, we believe it is prudent and responsible to dismiss the remaining indictments,” Reynolds said.
Prosecutors filed the motion to dismiss with a state judge on Friday, but it was unclear Tuesday when he would be sentenced.
Laquita Small was scheduled to stand trial in April on charges of endangering the welfare of a child and simple assault. Her lawyer. Michael Schreiber said he was pleased with the prosecutor’s decision to dismiss, adding that the matter should have been dealt with by counselors or in the family court.
Marty Small has been charged with aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, making terroristic threats, and witness tampering. He asked his daughter, prosecutors said To undo claims She told law enforcement officials that he abused her.
Just weeks before his trial began last month, Small was re-elected to a four-year term in the Democratic stronghold, achieving a 24 percentage point victory over his Republican rival. During his testimony, Small denied hurting his child.