The move would effectively end all criminal proceedings arising from allegations by the couple’s daughter that she was physically abused, and would also result in the dismissal of charges against Atlantic City High School Principal Constance Days-Chapman, who had been accused of failing to report the teenager’s abuse claims to state child welfare authorities.
Atlantic County prosecutors announced Friday they will ask a state court to drop child abuse charges against La’Quetta Small, the superintendent of Atlantic City schools, after the couple’s daughter — who turned 18 earlier this month — said she no longer wanted the prosecution to proceed. The announcement came weeks after a jury acquitted Small’s husband, Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr., on related charges.
Prosecutors also moved to dismiss charges against Atlantic City High School Principal Constance Days-Chapman, who had been accused of failing to report the teenager’s abuse allegations to state child welfare authorities. Both women had pleaded not guilty.
The dismissal of the remaining cases would close criminal proceedings that arose from allegations by the couple’s daughter that she was physically abused.
Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds announced the decision late Friday. “Based on her wishes, keeping in mind the prior not guilty verdict, and in an attempt not to re‑victimize (the daughter) again with trials against her mother and longtime family friend, we believe it is prudent and responsible to dismiss the remaining indictments,” Reynolds said.
Prosecutors filed the dismissal request with a state judge Friday, but it was not immediately clear when a ruling would be issued.
Charges and scheduled proceedings
La’Quetta Small, 49, had been accused alongside her husband of endangering and physically abusing their teenage daughter. She was scheduled to stand trial separately in April on charges of endangering the welfare of a child and simple assault. Her attorney, Michael Schreiber, said he was pleased with the decision and added that the matter should have been handled by counselors or in family court rather than through criminal prosecution.
Days-Chapman had been charged with failing to notify state child welfare officials about the teenager’s abuse claims.
Mayor’s acquittal
Mayor Marty Small Sr., 51, was acquitted last month of aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, making terroristic threats and witness tampering. Prosecutors had alleged at trial that Small asked his daughter to recant claims she made to law enforcement that he had abused her. During his testimony, Small denied ever harming his child.
Small was reelected to a four-year term in the Democratic stronghold just weeks before his trial began, posting a 24-percentage-point win over his Republican challenger.