On Dec. 12, Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small appeared in an Atlantic County courtroom to address accusations that he abused his teenage daughter. He said he was emotionally moved, recalling a close relationship that had lasted years.
The Testimony
Mayor Small began by describing how he and his daughter had been best friends, saying, “She meant the world to me and I would do anything to protect her,” and “I was her best friend and she was my best friend.” He then explained that the relationship changed after his daughter started dating a boyfriend. He alleged that the boyfriend “controlled her mind” through the way he spoke to her. He also described derogatory messages and orders he claimed to have seen in the boyfriend’s messages on his daughter’s cell phone. When the parents removed the daughter’s phone, she reportedly bit Small’s hand in one incident.
Denial of Allegations
Prosecutors say Small beat his daughter with a broom, but the mayor denies the claim. “I did not hit my daughter with a broom. I did not hit my daughter with a bristle,” he said. He recounted an incident in which the daughter threw detergent on him and later picked up a butter knife. He added, “If it was a butter knife, a plastic knife or bat, no child should wave an object at their parent.” He also said that when they struggled with a broom, the daughter fell and hit her head.
Closing Remarks
At the end of his testimony, Small became emotional again and said he wanted to look each and every one of the jurors in the eye the entire time and tell them the claims were bogus. He added, “I wanted to look each and every one of you in the eye the entire time and tell you the claims were bogus.”
Charges and Upcoming Trial
- Second‑degree endangering the welfare of a child
- Third‑degree terroristic threats
- Third‑degree aggravated assault
- Disorderly persons simple assault
His wife, La’Quetta Small, 48, superintendent of the Atlantic City Public School system, will go on trial later on second‑degree endangering the welfare of a child and disorderly persons simple assault.
Key Takeaways
- Mayor Marty Small denies all abuse allegations and claims the charges are false.
- He faces multiple criminal charges related to child welfare and assault.
- His wife will be tried separately on similar child‑welfare and assault charges.
