In a shocking development, the mayor of Atlantic City, Marty Small Sr., and his wife, La'Quetta Small, who serves as the superintendent of Atlantic City Public Schools, have been charged with "physically and emotionally abusing" their teenage daughter, as announced by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office on Monday.

Mayor Marty Small Sr. and Superintendent La'Quetta Small are both facing charges of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Additionally, Mayor Small has been charged with third-degree Terroristic Threats, third-degree Aggravated Assault, and disorderly persons Simple Assault. Superintendent Small, on the other hand, faces three separate counts of disorderly persons Simple Assault.

The charges stem from several alleged incidents of abuse. According to investigators, Mayor Small is accused of hitting his daughter multiple times in the head with a broom, resulting in her losing consciousness. He is also said to have threatened violence against the teen, including references to "earth slamming" her down the stairs and physically harming her.

Superintendent Small, meanwhile, is accused of punching her daughter multiple times in the chest, leaving visible bruises. Other alleged incidents involve dragging the teenager by her hair, striking her with a belt on the shoulder, and punching her in the mouth during an argument.

Both Mayor Small and Superintendent Small have been issued summonses with the charges against them. When approached for comment, Mayor Small expressed a desire to speak but referred reporters to his attorney. However, attempts to reach the attorney and school district officials for comment have thus far been unsuccessful.

These shocking charges come just two weeks after Mayor Small held a news conference with his family to address a search warrant executed at his residence. At the time, the mayor clarified that the search was related to a "private family issue" rather than a criminal matter. He asserted that he and his wife have been engaged with child welfare authorities and emphasized their commitment to family therapy.

It is worth noting that during the same search warrant operation, Constance Days-Chapman, the principal of Atlantic City High School, was arrested. The Atlantic County Prosecutor alleges that Days-Chapman failed to report allegations of child abuse when a student came forward. Mayor Small, addressing the issue during the news conference, expressed support for Days-Chapman, calling her a dear friend and proclaiming her innocence.

The state Division of Child Protection and Permanency, responsible for safeguarding the well-being of children, has declined to comment publicly on the case to maintain the privacy of those involved.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus remains on the well-being of the abused teenager and the impact of these charges on the Atlantic City community. The mayor and his wife now face a challenging road ahead, both personally and professionally, as they grapple with these serious allegations.