Drunk and Dangerous: Democrat Mayor of Lumberton, NJ Arrested for DUI with Toddler in the Car

Lumberton Township Mayor Gina LaPlaca was arrested for driving under the influence — while her toddler was in the back seat.

The March 17 incident was caught on police bodycam and paints a disturbing picture of recklessness, denial, and dangerous entitlement.

The video shows the mayor stumbling through a field sobriety test outside her suburban home, slurring her words, and initially lying to officers when asked if she had been drinking, Fox News reported.

“No, I’m good,” LaPlaca told the officer—just moments before admitting she had, in fact, consumed alcohol.

Police tracked LaPlaca down after a concerned citizen witnessed her erratic driving, capturing video of her swerving dangerously through the streets in a blue BMW with her young son in the backseat.

By the time officers caught up to her, the side of the vehicle was visibly damaged, with a mangled passenger-side mirror—damage LaPlaca claimed she didn’t even remember causing. Inside the car, officers discovered an open water bottle filled with alcohol.

The disgrace didn’t stop there. Additional footage released by Fox News shows a sobbing LaPlaca inside a holding cell, agreeing to a breathalyzer test while simultaneously demanding that officers contact the township’s police chief.

Among the charges LaPlaca now faces:

• Endangering the welfare of a child

• Driving while intoxicated

• Reckless driving

• Careless driving likely to endanger

• Driving with an expired license

• Open container of alcohol in a vehicle

In another damning clip, LaPlaca was seen lying on a police station bench, begging, “Can I please go home and see my son?” She was instead escorted to an ambulance and transported to a hospital.

Her husband, Jason Carty, released a Facebook statement the next day, attempting to deflect criticism by citing 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. 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.”

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