After being arrested on St. Patrick’s Day for allegedly driving under the influence with her toddler in the car, the wife of Lumberton Township, New Jersey’s Mayor Gina LaPlaca is facing serious charges. Despite the incident, her husband believes she should be left alone because she is not the mayor of a major city.
“It’s not like she’s the mayor of some big city,” said Jason Carty, LaPlaca’s husband, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
“Lumberton has only 13,000 people,” he reportedly said. “All I want is for my wife to get better and for everyone to leave her alone.”
Despite intense backlash, the mayor has not resigned, even as she reportedly receives inpatient treatment to recover from her addiction.
While in a holding cell, Mayor LaPlaca reportedly requested a Lumberton Township police officer to contact the chief of police on her behalf. Subsequently, she was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.
The charges against her include endangering/abuse/neglect of a child, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, careless driving likely to endanger, driving with an expired license, and possessing an open container of alcohol in her vehicle.
LaPlaca is due back in court on April 28.
