Atlantic City's mayor and superintendent continue in their positions after both were indicted this week in the alleged beating of their teenage daughter.
Marty Small, 50, and Dr. La'Quetta Small, 47, were charged in April, with allegations that the two had physically abused their daughter.
Both were indicted by a grand jury Tuesday on second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
Marty Small was also indicted on third-degree charges of terroristic threats and aggravated assault.
The mayor allegedly beat the girl unconscious with a broom.
For the first time in the case, Gov. Phil Murphy's office released a statement on the issue.
"While Mayor Small is entitled to due process under the law, given the seriousness of these criminal charges, Governor Murphy believes that Mayor Small should consider whether he can continue effectively serving the people of Atlantic City as mayor," the statement read.
Small addressed the comment Tuesday during an impromptu press conference in his seventh-floor office before a scheduled City Council meeting.
He said he chose to do that instead of having the media possibly disrupt city business with questions about the criminal case.
"I have all the love and respect in the world for the governor, he has a job to do," Small said. "The governor clearly didn't say I should step down. He said that I should consider."
He then went on to say that, after his home was raided in March, he went right back to work.
Small lauded what his administration has continued to get done while the charges have been pending.
The indictment was not a surprise, as the pair knew it was the logical next step.
The couple is actually looking forward to have their side heard, he said. Although he would not detail what that is.
Small also insisted his daughter is not only doing well, she is thriving. And he noted that she has not left the home.
While the state never removed the girl, it is not clear that she has stayed in her parents' home throughout the months since they were charged.
The details of the alleged attacks include the mayor allegedly threatening to “earth slamming” his daughter down the stairs Jan. 3, grabbing her head and throwing her to the ground, and smacking the weave out of her head.
Another incident allegedly involved the mayor punching his daughter repeatedly in her legs causing bruising.
Dr. Small also is accused of punching the girl multiple times during one incident, leaving bruises on her chest.
Another time, the girl's mother allegedly dragged the girl by her hair, and then struck her with a belt on her shoulders leaving marks. The girl also was punched in the mouth by Dr. Small during another argument, according to the allegations.
When the girl went to Atlantic City High School Principal Constance Days-Chapman, the woman allegedly ignored her claims, and instead notified the Smalls, who are close friends,
Days-Chapman was indicted last week on charges including official misconduct and obstruction in the case.
She has been on leave from her position since shortly after she was charged. It is unclear if Days-Chapman is being paid now that she was indicted.
The school board solicitor told BreakingAC during Tuesday night's board meeting that she could not comment at all due to it being a personnel issue.
Dr.Small was at the meeting. She has continued in the position despite the pending charges.
