Atlantic City Mayor Found Not Guilty On All Counts In Child Abuse Trial: Reports

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — The mayor of Atlantic City was found not guilty on all counts in his child abuse trial, according to reports.

The verdict came back just after 12 p.m. Thursday, according to NJ.com. Marty Small Sr., recently re-elected mayor of Atlantic City, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated assault, terroristic threats and witness tampering. He was found not guilty by a jury, according to NJ.com.

Small, 51, yelled "Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, jury" when the verdict was read, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

The mayor was accused of threatening to hurt his daughter by "earth slamming" her down the stairs, grabbing her head and throwing her to the ground, and smacking the weave out of her head, during an argument on Jan. 3, 2024. In another incident, he is accused of punching her repeatedly in her legs causing bruising.

READ MORE: NJ Mayor, Daughter Face Off In Child Abuse Trial

He also was accused of telling his daughter to "twist up" the story and say she tripped and fell, instead of being beaten by a broom as he apparently did, according to authorities.

Small has repeatedly denied all of the allegations.

His wife, Atlantic City Schools Superintendent La'Quetta Small, was also charged in the investigation. Her trial is set to begin in January.

Previous Reporting:

• Drop Child Abuse Case Against Us, NJ Mayor & Wife Say: Reports
• Atlantic City Mayor, Superintendent Indicted In Abuse Of Daughter
• Atlantic City HS Principal Who Didn't Report Child Abuse Indicted
• Atlantic City Mayor, Superintendent Abused Teen Daughter: Prosecutor

This is a breaking news story. Patch will update as more information becomes available.