Rick Santorum Daughter Hospitalized

Rick Santorum Daughter Hospitalized

Bella Santorum, the candidate's 3-year-old daughter who has had a history of health problems, was taken to the hospital on Friday morning.

"Rick and his wife Karen have taken their daughter Bella to the hospital," Santorum spokesman Hogan Gidley said in a statement. "The family requests prayers and privacy as Bella works her way to recovery."

Bella suffers from Trisomy 18, a genetic disorder. She was hospitalized for pneumonia in January, and her father took time off from his campaign to be with her.

Santorum frequently cites his daughter when discussing why he wants to become president. He has also said it's difficult to campaign when his daughter is ill.

"Life expectancy wasn't particularly long, and just the idea of going off and doing something like this was something I really struggled with," Santorum told the Washington Post last November.

He told ABC's Christiane Amanpour in December that he wants to be "sure that we have a country that respects her life and a country that is free and safe and prosperous for all of my children."

Santorum is currently taking a break from his campaign for Easter.

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