Lumberton Mayor Faces New Charges After Alleged Drunk-Driving Incident With Child in Car

Early this year, a Burlington County grand jury charged the Lumberton mayor for driving drunk with her young kid, charging her with serious felonies. Indictments matter in statewide cases.

A worried motorist called police on March 17 after seeing a car slide across lanes and off the road. The caller said the vehicle left Moorestown with a child, prompting safety concerns.

Police saw Mayor Gina LaPlaca, 46, at her home take her child from the back seat after noticing the automobile plate. Officers found in body-worn camera footage from that night that many witnesses had called to report the same erratic driving, including crossing the center line and sliding onto the grass.

LaPlaca originally denied drinking to police. She informed officers she picked up her child from daycare after drinking. Police said she failed a home field sobriety test by not balancing and following directions.

One empty little liquor bottle, one water bottle with vodka, and another liquid found in the car. Despite body camera footage showing a smashed side mirror, her passenger side may have been damaged.

After processing, LaPlaca requested to speak with the police chief. With the criminal accusations, she got seven traffic tickets. Child abuse and second- and fourth-degree endangerment are prosecuted. December 8 is her arraignment.

State policymakers noticed soon. Gov. Phil Murphy advised LaPlaca to recover and leave public service after her sentence. She reported at council meetings two months later that she had completed a long inpatient substance abuse program and was in intense outpatient therapy. At a May meeting, she reported 59 days sober and committed to recovery.

Her attorney and LaPlaca have not discussed the indictment or judicial processes. The court hearing will decide the mayor’s next action and the township’s response to criticism.