Prosecutors have asked a judge to dismiss child‑abuse indictments against Atlantic City schools superintendent La’Quetta Small and principal Constance Days‑Chapman after the alleged victim — the Smalls' daughter, who recently turned 18 — told investigators she did not want the case to continue. Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds said the decision also recognized a prior not‑guilty verdict and aimed to avoid re‑victimizing the young woman. A judge has not yet ruled on the dismissal request.
Atlantic City: Prosecutors Move To Dismiss Charges Against Schools Superintendent After Teen Withdraws Support
FILE - La'Quetta Small, the superintendent of schools for Atlantic City, waits for her court appearance to start in Mays Landing, N.J., Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, on charges that she and her husband, Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. beat and abused their teenage daughter. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry, File)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Prosecutors have asked a state judge to dismiss child-abuse indictments against Atlantic City schools superintendent La’Quetta Small and Atlantic City High School principal Constance Days‑Chapman after the alleged victim — the Smalls' teenage daughter — told investigators she did not want the case to proceed. The move follows the recent acquittal of La’Quetta Small’s husband, Mayor Marty Small Sr., on related charges.
Prosecutor Cites Victim's Wishes
Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds said his office filed the dismissal request late Friday after speaking with the Smalls' daughter, who turned 18 earlier this month and made clear she did not want further criminal proceedings. Reynolds said the decision also took into account the prior not-guilty verdict in the case and a desire to avoid re‑victimizing the young woman.
"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.
Charges, Court Status And Reactions
Prosecutors asked a state judge to dismiss all charges against La’Quetta Small and Days‑Chapman; it was not immediately clear when the judge would rule. La’Quetta Small had been scheduled to stand trial in April on counts of endangering the welfare of a child and simple assault. Her attorney, Michael Schreiber, welcomed the dismissal and said the matter would have been better addressed through counseling or family court rather than criminal prosecution.
Marty Small Sr. had faced separate charges including aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, making terroristic threats and witness tampering. Prosecutors alleged he pressured his daughter to recant statements accusing him of abuse; Small denied harming his child. Weeks before his trial began last month, he won reelection to a four-year mayoral term by about a 24-point margin and was later acquitted on the related charges.
Context And Next Steps
The prosecutor’s office said its dismissal request was driven primarily by the alleged victim’s explicit wish that the case end and by concern over further trauma. If the judge grants the request, the criminal indictments against La’Quetta Small and Days‑Chapman would be dismissed; civil or family-court options could remain available to the family.
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