Constance Days-Chapman, the principal of Atlantic City High School, is now confronted with further allegations for failing to disclose the purported abuse involving Mayor Marty Small Sr. and Dr. La’Quetta Small, who is the superintendent of city schools, against their teenage daughter.
On Thursday, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office revealed that Days-Chapman has been indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges, including five counts of second-degree official misconduct, one count of second-degree pattern of official misconduct, one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and one count of third-degree hindering apprehension of another.
Earlier this year, Days-Chapman faced charges related to misconduct and the failure to report child abuse.
Prosecutors revealed that in December 2023, the 15-year-old victim disclosed to Days-Chapman that she was experiencing “continuous headaches as a result of being struck by her parents at home.”
Being a school employee, Days-Chapman must adhere to New Jersey law by reporting the abuse to the Department of Child Protection and Permanency as well as to law enforcement.
On January 22, the victim reported the alleged abuse to another school employee, stating that she had informed Days-Chapman. However, prosecutors noted that Days-Chapman denied being informed to the staff member.
It was reported that both the staff member and a witness to the discussion thought Days-Chapman intended to make a report about it. An eyewitness informed Days-Chapman that they intended to contact the child protection agency, according to prosecutors. However, Days-Chapman maintained her intention to reach out to the agency, as stated by prosecutors.
Later that day, Days-Chapman reportedly met the Smalls in her vehicle, parked outside their residence, and informed them about the news coverage.
Officials reported that they were unaware of the abuse until a “non-school entity” contacted a hotline on January 24.
In April, Mayor Small and La’Quetta Small faced charges related to endangering a child’s welfare, along with additional allegations.
At a press briefing after a search of their residence, Mayor Small, accompanied by his family, including his daughter, refuted the allegations of abuse. Small indicated that the search warrant may have been influenced by racial and political factors.