Atlantic City Mayor, Wife Deny Child Abuse Charges

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his wife, La'Quetta Small, pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of child endangerment concerning the alleged abuse of their teenage daughter. The couple face accusations of physically and emotionally mistreating the 15-year-old girl last December and January, allegedly leaving her unconscious on one occasion. Their attorney, Ed Jacobs, expressed confidence in their innocence, attributing the allegations to their public prominence and emphasizing that "parenting struggles are not criminal events."

The legal drama involves Atlantic City High School principal Constance Days-Chapman, a close associate of the Smalls, who has been accused of failing to report the alleged abuse. Despite the litigation, the Smalls maintain their daughter remains at home. Marty Small conveyed eagerness to present their version of events, stating, "All people have heard is one side of the story. We look forward to telling our side."

Prosecutors cite varied evidence, including recordings and statements from the daughter, detailing altercations allegedly initiated by the parents. Prosecutors say the girl's boyfriend, whom the Smalls did not approve of, recorded one such instance. The indictment has sparked wider scrutiny due to Days-Chapman's ties with the Smalls; they are friends, and La'Quetta is her boss. Both the Smalls and Days-Chapman have vigorously denied the charges against them. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)