By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-03-19 13:36:40 | Updated at 2025-03-20 15:54:41
1 day ago
A New Jersey mayor has been accused of driving drunk with her toddler in the car on St Patrick's Day.
Lumberton mayor Gina LaPlaca allegedly admitted to drinking before she got behind the wheel to pick her two-year-old son at his daycare on Monday.
A bystander took a video of the Democrat, 45, swerving on the road and almost hitting a utility pole and shared it with police, as reported by ABC6.
Police then located the vehicle in question at the mayor's house.
Officials said they found an open container of alcohol in LaPlaca's car. The toddler was strapped in a car seat in the rear passenger seat, per court documents.
Her husband Jason Carty defended the mayor on social media and announced that she will seek treatment for addiction.
'Millions of Americans struggle with addiction and never get help. Gina LaPlaca is someone who has struggled, and is now getting the help she needs. I ask that everyone keep her in their thoughts as she moves forward on her road to recovery,' Carty wrote on Facebook.
The Democratic mayor of Lumberton, New Jersey, Gina LaPlaca, was arrested for DUI on Tuesday. Police say she was driving drunk with her toddler in her car
Earlier this month LaPlaca was removed from a town meeting as she cursed at a woman
'Please ignore the exaggerated political hyperbole and keep in mind her passion for helping others. This should not erase all the things she has accomplished for our community.
'Gina is a loving and caring mother and step mom to our son and her step son. Our oldest is a teenager and can see the unkind things being said online. I ask simply that you respect our privacy, be better humans and please show some compassion, thank you.
LaPlaca was slammed earlier this month after she had an outburst at a town meeting and cursed at one of the attendants.
Footage of the incident shows the slurring mayor being escorted out of the meeting as she called a woman a 'f***ing s***k bitch.'
At the time, Luberton resident Chris Tommins wrote: 'This is our Lumberton Township Mayor, Gina LaPlaca. Last night she lost her marbles at a Mt Holly meeting and cursed out a citizen of another town.
LaPlaca's husband Jason Carty defended the mayor on social media and announced that she will seek treatment for addiction
Police say LaPlaca admitted to drinking before she picked her two-year-old son from daycare
'Why do we condone this behavior and keep electing her.
'Gina is a narcissist, manipulative and corrupt individual who thrives on power just like her husband. Lumberton and Mt. Holly residents need to stand up against the actions of these two. Another black eye to our town.'
LaPlaca, a former business administrator, was elected mayor in 2020 and re-elected in 2023.
She is charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving and endangering the welfare of a child.
