Rick Santorum Says Daughter Bella Out Of Hospital

FALLON, Nev. -- Rick Santorum says his 3-year-old daughter, Bella, is home from the hospital after a bout with pneumonia.

Santorum told reporters that his daughter left the hospital on Thursday and is back at her Virginia home. Santorum took a break from campaigning last weekend to rush home to be with his ailing daughter.

Bella Santorum has genetic disorder Trisomy 18, which her father often describes to audiences as "incompatible with life." Any health issues can prove fatal for the youngster.

Santorum canceled his schedule last Sunday, just before Florida had its primary on Tuesday. Santorum decided to pull out of the state to stay home and then focus on upcoming contests in Missouri, Minnesota, Colorado and Nevada.

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Comments

[fishking007]

11:00 AM on 02/21/2012

Did the hospital run out of aspirin?????

[Marnie1]

02:22 PM on 02/03/2012

How are we expected to trust our safety to a man who thinks it is a good idea to play statistical roulete with the life of a child, but creating a pregnancy with a 48 year old woman.

It was literally Russian roulette. And the Santorum pulled the trigger on one of dozens of chambers that are loaded by the time parents are over 40.

For their carelessness or selfishness they have produced a lfe time of suffering for an innocent child who they parade for political purposes

[Kerri Barber]

07:54 AM on 02/06/2012

Because you see this child as defective and in being this way, must have little desire to live. I wonder, if you were struck with a debilitating illness, would you opt out of life or continue fighting on? What if your positive example could be a benefit to others? What if you could learn much about yourself by the way you embraced your illness for the good of others, and ultimately, the good of others? Women over 40 can and do have wonderful children who are healthy and full of life in whatever capacity they have been given. Even women in their 20's can have a child with Down's Syndrome. Seriously, go volunteer somewhere, put others first for awhile and a year from now, you will wonder how you ever wrote the statement you just posted.

[GrumpCurmudgeon]

04:20 PM on 02/08/2012

I have spent a year interning as a hospice chaplain. Does that "qualify" me to weigh in on this? Well, whether it does or not, Marnie is asking a valid question.

There is a difference between *having* or *getting* a disability and *courting* disability. Kerri, can you really not see that? It's simply irresponsible for people who will *likely* be unable to have a healthy baby to choose to have one anyway. If nothing else, it's unfair to the children they already have.

[cantbreallife]

02:10 PM on 02/03/2012

Bless this child. Rick you should call your campaign off and go be with her. You can always run again, but you can't get back the time away from her now.

[dch58]

01:13 PM on 02/03/2012

Thank God, Bella has improved. I'm a father as well. I can't imagine the toll this takes on his family.

[traceymarie]

01:38 PM on 02/03/2012

Unfortunatly this child will die very soon, it is a sad place to be in knowing your 3 YO will die very soon.

[camelias and sweet tea]

01:58 PM on 02/03/2012

AND, nothing, absolutely nothing would keep me from being with her as much as possible.

[marcchagal]

12:58 PM on 02/03/2012

Too bad Santorum's love for his daughter doesn't extend out to the very people he is campaigning for in his attempt to try to become the POTUS. He was rude and callous at an one of his events yesterday when someone asked him what the poor could do to get good medical attention for dying children. He was mean, cruel, nasty and angry. I was aghast watching the footage. But let's not forget. He thinks It's okay, though, because he espouses family values and the love for Jesus in the process and he has a lot of money.

[ListenToTruth]

02:44 PM on 02/03/2012

I'll bet his daughter's medical bills are enormous. Who is paying for her medical care - Would it be the American Taxpayer through his government medical insurance? Is Rick making sure the doctors and hospitals are charging high enough rates so they can make huge profits from her many medical issues? Since Ricky is more concerned about corporate profits than the life of ordinary children, I think he needs to paraded around for his true loyalties. Don't forget, during the Bush years Ricky met weekly with K-Street lobbyists and he needs to explain if that cozy relationship would continue IF he became president.

[Troops Support Paul]

01:57 AM on 02/04/2012

Don't they get that awesome Congressional health plan (that the rest of us could only dream of) for life?

[harmonikasavingsbonds]

12:52 PM on 02/03/2012

Will Bella get worse if you keep falling in the polls?

[Urfubar12]

12:49 PM on 02/03/2012

Can't stand this man....at all.

With that said. I am very glad his baby girl is ok. It is very scary when a child gets that sick. Wish her the best!

[imfedup]

12:48 PM on 02/03/2012

He left to go to a community college in Missouri, where he had about 300 inside and 150 estimated outside.

Great trade-off, I'd say. Terminally ill daughter or 450 people he's never met in a tiny suburb of a tiny suburb of St. Louis.

[Anniebody]

01:18 PM on 02/03/2012

It's all about priorities.

[shespeaks]

12:40 PM on 02/03/2012

I feel very sorry for this poor young innocent. I also feel strongly that her father is exploiting her plight to gain support. Sad all around.

[CSKAP]

12:14 PM on 02/03/2012

I think everyone regardless of political belief hopes all the best for Bella and the incredibly difficult journey she is on.
Such a disease in someone so young had to be incredibly costly and I’m sure that all her medical bills are being paid by Mr. Santorum’s privately funded insurance.

[LeeMon]

12:07 PM on 02/03/2012

Is he flaunting his daughter's health to gain sympathy votes?

[Hillbilly49]

12:05 PM on 02/03/2012

Brother  Rickie is holding a prop; that didn't work for Miss Winky either.

[camelias and sweet tea]

11:58 AM on 02/03/2012

Thank goodness for the pre-existing condition portion of Healthcare..Thank you President Obama

[camelias and sweet tea]

11:53 AM on 02/03/2012

STILL using the kid for his gain...disgusting and so Palinlike

[jco2008]

12:18 PM on 02/03/2012

What are you talking aboput? Did you even read the article?

[Justdontgetit]

11:53 AM on 02/03/2012

Bless you baby girl.