A grand jury in Burlington County has indicted the mayor of Lumberton for child endangerment after she was caught driving while intoxicated in March with her young son in the car, officials from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office said.
Gina LaPlaca, 46, was indicted on second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and fourth-degree child abuse. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for Dec. 8.
Lumberton police said they were alerted about a possible drunk driver swerving while driving in their town around 6 p.m. on March 17.
The witness reported the license plate number of the vehicle, and police in Lumberton responded to LaPlaca’s residence as she was taking her young child out of the back seat of the car, officials said.
The witness told police that LaPlaca had driven from at least Moorestown and that they became concerned when they noticed a young child in the car.
The witness told officers that the car crossed the center line three times and went off onto the grass at certain points, videos show. Officers can be heard on video saying several people called to report the incident.
LaPlaca initially denied drinking before admitting to officers that she had in fact been drinking and said she had just picked her young child up from daycare, according to the affidavit of probable cause and body-worn camera recordings.
During a field sobriety test at her home, LaPlaca had trouble standing and struggled to follow instructions, according to body-worn camera recordings.
Officers found a water bottle filled with what they believed was vodka mixed with another liquid, according to the video. Officers also found an empty miniature liquor bottle in the car, the video shows.
Damage along the passenger side of her car, including a severely damaged sideview mirror, can be seen on body-worn camera recordings.
It is unclear if the damage to her car happened the day of her DWI arrest or at another time.
While being processed at the police station, LaPlaca asked an officer to call the chief.
LaPlaca was issued seven motor vehicle citations, and Gov. Phil Murphy said LaPlaca should step down from public office and focus on her recovery.
But in May, LaPlaca returned to attending public council meetings and said she had attended an inpatient rehab program for substance abuse.
“Today marks my 59th day of sobriety,” LaPlaca said at a May 15 committee meeting. “This past weekend I was discharged after successfully completing 54 days of inpatient treatment. I am now undergoing intensive outpatient treatment three hours a day, five days a week.”
LaPlaca’s attorney declined to comment.
