Dem official pleads guilty to child abuse for driving drunk at triple legal limit, enters diversion program

A New Jersey township authoritative pleaded blameworthy Monday to kid maltreatment and driving nether the power aft prosecutors said she drove with a humor intoxicant attraction of .30% — astir 4 times the ineligible bounds — portion her young kid was successful the car.

Gina LaPlaca, 46, a subordinate of the Lumberton Township Committee and erstwhile mayor, was sentenced to 3 years of supervision nether Burlington County’s Pretrial Intervention (PTI) program, nether a diversionary programme that does not see jailhouse clip if she complies with its conditions, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.

In a connection posted to societal media, LaPlaca called her actions "wrong," "dangerous," and "inexcusable," and said she is committed to "accountability" and recovery.

"I drove portion intoxicated with my kid successful the car — a prime that could person caused irreversible harm," she wrote.

Bodycam video from section authorities shows Lumberton Township Committeewoman Gina LaPlaca aft failing her tract sobriety trial past year. (Lumberton Township, N.J. Police Department)

LaPlaca remains connected the township committee. She did not bespeak successful her connection that she plans to resign.

The charges stem from a March 2025 incidental that began erstwhile different motorist contacted constabulary to study that LaPlaca’s conveyance was swerving crossed the centerline and astir striking oncoming vehicles, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Lumberton constabulary officers aboriginal went to LaPlaca’s residence aft reviewing video footage recorded by the motorist and took her into custody, authorities said.

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Lumberton Township Committeewoman Gina LaPlaca, 46, was recovered driving nether the power with her babe lad successful the car past twelvemonth by section authorities. (Burlington County Prosecutor's Office via Facebook)

An probe determined LaPlaca had a humor intoxicant attraction of .30%. In New Jersey, drivers with a BAC of .08% oregon higher are considered legally intoxicated.

LaPlaca pleaded blameworthy successful Superior Court successful Mount Holly to fourth-degree kid maltreatment and driving nether the influence, according to prosecutors.

Under presumption imposed by Superior Court Judge Craig A. Ambrose, LaPlaca indispensable proceed to supply impervious of attendance astatine Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and comply with immoderate requirements imposed by the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency.

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Lumberton Township Mayor Gina LaPlaca stands beside her damaged BMW earlier failing a sobriety trial connected March 17, 2025.  (Lumberton Township Police Department)

She was besides ordered to support an ignition interlock instrumentality connected her vehicle, which prevents a car from starting if intoxicant is detected. Prosecutors said LaPlaca told the tribunal she had voluntarily installed 1 successful October 2025.

Police assemblage camera footage from the apprehension shows officers administering tract sobriety tests. When asked however overmuch she had to drink, LaPlaca responded, "vodka."

Footage besides shows officers separating her kid from the country portion they conducted the investigation.

LaPlaca said she has struggled with alcoholism and is "fully committed to my recovery," adding that she continues successful treatment.

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"I volition walk each time moving guardant striving to beryllium worthy of the 2nd accidental I person been given," she wrote.

Terrance Benson was sworn successful arsenic politician of Lumberton this year. LaPlaca served arsenic politician done 2025.

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