Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small had a lot to celebrate on New Year's Day.
"This is truly the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad," the mayor said shortly after being sworn in by his attorney Lou Barbone as co-counsel Jordan Barbone held the Bible.
He was surrounded by his entire family, including his teenage daughter who he was acquitted of abusing earlier this month.
Despite the criminal trial pending at the time, he won re-election in November by a landslide, confirming his prediction when the investigation first came to light that his city still would support him by huge margins.
It was the appearance of his daughter that seemed to bring the whole thing together.
Jada Small arrived with her mother, brother and other family members in a jitney outside the All Wars Memorial Building, where her father's swearing-in ceremony was held.
The mayor and his wife both faced charges of abusing the teen, who testified for the state at her father's trial.
At this time, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office is still deciding the next step in the case against Dr. La'Quetta Small, who currently faces trial in April.
"The last two years, we've been through hell and back," the mayor said of he and his wife.
"I'm blessed, this couldn't be a better way to start the year than to have my daughter, Jada Small," he said as the crowd cheered.
Small said he spent New Year's Eve with his daughter and it was "just like old times."
He then recalled his first swearing in when his wife was pregnant with Jada, who turns 18 on Friday.
He said his daughter needs love and then led the crowd in singing "Happy Birthday" to her.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
