A Lacey Township mother accused of being under the influence when she got into a car crash with her three young children in the car is now facing serious charges.
On Nov. 5, police responded to a three-car crash in the area of Route 9 north and First Street, shortly after 5:30 p.m.
Leah Lamendola, 35, of the Lanoka Harbor section of town was found behind the wheel of one the vehicles involved. Lamendola was in the car with her three children, ages 7, 6 and 2.
Lamendola was taken into custody and remains at the Ocean County Jail in Toms River on $50,000 bail.
The children taken away and were placed in the custody of a family member.
The 8-count indictment charged Lamendola with two counts of assault by auto, three counts of cruelty and neglect of a child and three counts of drug possession.
According to report, she was found in possession of oxycodone, alprazolam (which is also known as Xanax) and methadone.
The drug charges are third-degree offenses that carry penalties of up to five years in prison. The assault and child cruelty charges are fourth-degree offenses that call for up to 18-monhts in prison.