LUMBERTON, NJ — A Burlington County mayor faces charges after authorities say she drove under the influence of alcohol while picking up a child from daycare.
A witness sent video to Lumberton police of a driver failing to stay in their lane multiple times and almost hitting a pole, according to court documents Patch obtained. Police say they found the car at Lumberton Mayor Gina LaPlaca’s home and identified her as the driver.
LaPlaca admitted to drinking and said she was picking up a child from daycare, according to the affidavit into her arrest. After she performed sobriety tests, police say they found an open container of an alcoholic beverage in LaPlaca’s vehicle.
The child was secured in a car seat on the rear driver’s side, according to court documents, which don’t specify LaPlaca’s relationship to the child.
LaPlaca was charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and fourth-degree child neglect. She was released with a summons.
The mayor’s first court date is scheduled for April 28.
LaPlaca did not immediately respond to Patch’s request for comment.
The Democratic officeholder is part of Lumberton’s Township Committee, which elects one of its members as mayor at the beginning of each calendar year. LaPlaca’s term on the Township Committee runs until the end of 2026.
