Lumberton, NJ, Elected Official Pleads Guilty to Child Abuse, DUI

A Lumberton Township committee member charged with DWI and child endangerment has been placed on three years of supervision under a pre-trial intervention program.

Sentencing Under PTI

Under terms imposed by a court, 46-year-old Gina LaPlaca must continue to provide proof of attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and abide by specific conditions of participation in the PTI program. Failure to do so could result in her being prosecuted on a fourth-degree child abuse charge, to which she has pleaded guilty.

LaPlaca also pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and was ordered to have an ignition interlock device installed on her vehicle, which she told the court had already been done.

She also presented a certificate to the court showing she has completed an outpatient treatment program for alcoholism at a recovery center.

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Investigation and Arrest

The charges stem from an investigation last March after another driver contacted police to report that LaPlaca's vehicle was swerving across the centerline of a road, nearly striking oncoming vehicles. She was taken into custody by Lumberton police, who went to her home after viewing a video recorded by the motorist.

Blood Alcohol Level of .30%

An investigation, conducted by the Lumberton Township Police Department, revealed LaPlaca had a blood alcohol concentration of .30%, well above New Jersey's legal limit of .08%.

Political and Professional Background

According to New Jersey 101.5's Dan Alexander, LaPlaca was elected to the Lumberton Township Committee in 2020. She was reelected in 2023 and appointed mayor that same year. She is an attorney and the former business administrator for Neptune Township, according to her LinkedIn page.

Shortly after her arrest, LaPlaca's husband, Jason Carty, posted on social media that she was "now getting the help she needs" with her addiction struggles. "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."

Chris Coleman, a South Jersey native, is the brand manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM and afternoon on-air personality on WPUR Cat Country 107.3 in Atlantic City, NJ. He joined the station in February 1998 and covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey for Townsquare Media. Story tips can be sent to chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com .