MAYS LANDING, N.J. (AP) — Prosecutors have announced they will not pursue a child abuse trial against an Atlantic City school principal, just weeks after her husband, the mayor of the seaside gambling resort, was acquitted on similar charges.
Marty Small Sr., 51, and La’Quetta Small, 49, are accused of endangering and abusing their teenage daughter. Atlantic City High School Principal Constance Days-Chapman was also charged in the case after prosecutors said she failed to report the teen’s abuse allegations to state child welfare officials. Both women have 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 the Smalls’ daughter, who turned 18 earlier this month, and determined she no longer wanted the case to proceed.
“Based on her wishes, keeping in mind the previous not guilty verdict, and to avoid re-victimizing (the daughter) with the trial of her mother and longtime family friend, we believe it is prudent and responsible to dismiss the remaining indictments,” Reynolds said.
Prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss with a state judge on Friday, but it was unclear Tuesday when a ruling would be made.
Laquita Small was scheduled to go to trial in April on charges of endangering the welfare of a child and simple assault. her lawyer. Michael Schreiber said he was pleased with prosecutors’ decision to dismiss, adding that the matter should be handled by a counselor or family court.
Marty Small was charged with aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, making terrorist threats and witness tampering. Prosecutors said he asked his daughter to retract claims she made to law enforcement officials that he abused her.
Just weeks before the trial began last month, Small was re-elected to a four-year term in a Democratic stronghold, defeating his Republican challenger by 24 percentage points. During his testimony, Small denied ever harming his children.
