A shocking bodycam video captured Gina LaPlaca stumbling and slurring her words while admitting to drinking vodka before driving her toddler home from daycare.

According to the Daily Mail, the 46-year-old Democratic mayor of Lumberton Township has made a defiant return to office despite facing charges of driving while intoxicated and second-degree child endangerment. LaPlaca announced at a May 15 meeting that she had completed 54 days of inpatient treatment and declared, "Today marks my 59th day of sobriety."

The mayor's comeback has sparked outrage among many residents who believe she should resign rather than continue serving while in recovery. Her return comes just months after her March arrest, when police responded to reports of her BMW swerving across the road with her two-year-old son in the backseat.

Growing Calls for Resignation Amid Defiant Return

Officers found LaPlaca visibly intoxicated outside her $640,000 home after a 911 caller reported her vehicle nearly striking a utility pole.

LaPlaca failed multiple sobriety tests, and police discovered open containers of alcohol in her vehicle. Body camera footage captured the mayor tearfully apologizing as she was placed in handcuffs, to which an officer gently responded, "That's okay."

Despite being censured by her own committee and facing resignation calls from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, LaPlaca has refused to step down. Instead, she has doubled down on her position, recently praising Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on social media for her 35 years of sobriety and condemning "anyone who thinks a person in recovery can't continue to serve their community."

Complex Legal Situation Complicates Removal Efforts

Many Lumberton residents have voiced concerns about LaPlaca's judgment and leadership capabilities.

At township meetings following her arrest, citizens lined up to demand her resignation, with some calling her "manipulative" and "narcissistic." Even Committeeman Terrance Benson joined the chorus, stating, "My personal opinion is for the mayor to step down and to heal herself."

Town officials find themselves in a difficult position as New Jersey law makes removing an elected official challenging unless they are convicted of a disqualifying crime or recalled by voters. A recall effort is currently underway, requiring signatures from at least 25% of registered voters to force a special election.

Previous Incidents Raise Further Questions

LaPlaca's husband, former Westampton fire chief Jason Carty, has defended his wife publicly.

"It's not like she's the mayor of some big city," Carty said in April, noting that Lumberton has only 13,000 people. "All I want is for my wife to get better and for everyone to leave her alone."

However, the controversy has intensified after revelations about LaPlaca's past behavior. She was previously arrested in 2023 for allegedly assaulting Carty, though that charge was later dismissed and expunged from her record.

Pattern of Concerning Behavior Emerges

LaPlaca had abruptly resigned from her job as Neptune Township's business administrator just one week before her DUI incident.

In early March, before her arrest, the mayor faced criticism after an outburst at a town meeting where she was caught on video cursing at an attendee. Footage shows the slurring mayor being escorted out while calling a woman a "fing sk b****."

One frustrated Lumberton resident questioned, "Why do we condone this behavior and keep electing her?" describing LaPlaca as "a narcissist, manipulative, and corrupt individual who thrives on power just like her husband."