Drunk Driving Charges Hit Democrat Mayor With Toddler In Car

Hands with manicured nails in handcuffs.

New Jersey Democratic mayor Gina LaPlaca faces multiple charges including DUI and child endangerment after being caught driving erratically with her 2-year-old son on St. Patrick’s Day, yet refuses to resign despite public outrage.

Key Takeaways

Lumberton, NJ Mayor Gina LaPlaca was arrested on St. Patrick’s Day for DUI with her toddler in the car and an open container of alcohol in her BMW.
A witness recorded LaPlaca driving erratically and nearly hitting a utility pole before police intervened.
LaPlaca faces multiple charges including reckless driving, child neglect and endangerment, DUI, and driving with an expired license.
Despite widespread calls for her resignation from residents, LaPlaca has explicitly stated she will not step down from her position.
This incident follows a previous 2023 arrest related to an alleged domestic dispute with her husband, who now supports her recovery efforts.

St. Patrick’s Day Incident Leads to Serious Charges

Democratic Mayor Gina LaPlaca of Lumberton, New Jersey now faces serious legal consequences after allegedly driving under the influence with her 2-year-old son in the vehicle on March 17, 2025. According to police reports, LaPlaca admitted to consuming alcohol before picking up her child from daycare. Officers discovered an open container in her 2019 BMW after a concerned citizen recorded her vehicle swerving dangerously on the road and nearly striking a utility pole. The 42-year-old mayor’s reckless behavior resulted in multiple charges including driving under the influence, child endangerment, reckless driving, and operating a vehicle with an expired license.

The incident occurred in Lumberton, a township located in Burlington County approximately 25 miles east of Philadelphia. LaPlaca, who was elected to the township committee in 2020 and became mayor in 2023, had recently resigned from her position as Neptune Township business administrator earlier this month due to political changes. Her court appearance for these charges is scheduled for April 28, where she faces potential penalties that could include jail time and significant fines if convicted of endangering her child while driving impaired.

Mayor Refuses to Resign Despite Public Outcry

Despite facing serious criminal charges and vocal opposition from the community, Mayor LaPlaca has firmly rejected calls for her resignation. In an email statement that has further inflamed local tensions, LaPlaca wrote, “I will not be resigning my position. Our community needs to be more kind and understanding about people trying to better themselves. As we all know, there is a huge black eye and black cloud over our town right now.” This stance has angered many Lumberton residents who packed a recent township meeting to express their concerns about her continued leadership.

“Despite my issues, which I’m working diligently and responsibly to address and improve myself, my work for Lumberton has NEVER suffered or been neglected, nor will it be,” stated Mayor LaPlaca.

The township solicitor explained to frustrated residents that local officials lack the authority to remove LaPlaca from office, noting that only a recall election or her voluntary resignation could end her tenure as mayor. This legal reality has intensified community frustration, as many believe her actions demonstrate a severe lapse in judgment incompatible with holding public office. LaPlaca maintains that she can effectively lead the community while addressing her personal struggles.

NJ mayor Gina LaPlaca charged with DUI while driving toddler home from daycare on St. Patrick’s Day https://t.co/Y2RFuuNiuZ pic.twitter.com/jIjQuwQbzS

— New York Post (@nypost) March 19, 2025

History of Troubles and Family Support

This incident is not LaPlaca’s first encounter with law enforcement. Public records reveal she was previously arrested in 2023 for allegedly assaulting her husband, Jason Carty, though he later took responsibility for that incident. This pattern of behavior has raised additional questions about her stability and fitness for office. Despite these concerns, LaPlaca has acknowledged struggling with addiction and announced her intention to seek treatment, framing her decision as a sign of strength rather than weakness.

“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. 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,” said Jason Carty, LaPlaca’s husband.

LaPlaca has admitted to her struggles with addiction in her own statement, writing, “The unfortunate fact is that I have a disease, one which millions of people share and that I would not wish on my worst enemy. My husband is taking me today to get the help I need and which I have been reluctant to get because I am not one to admit ‘weakness’ or ask for help.” Despite acknowledging these personal challenges, she remains adamant about continuing in her role as mayor, insisting that her recovery will strengthen her leadership abilities.