Luverne, MINNESOTA - Rick Santorum said he spent Sunday night in a Virginia hospital bed with his ailing 3-year-old daughter Bella only to wake up Monday morning and decide to return to campaigning.

"She's out of the woods, but not out of the hospital yet. She made a miraculous recovery, so I thank everybody here who prayed for her," Santorum said.

"I was with her last night in a hospital bed and laid with her and slept with her last night," Santorum said. "She woke up this morning with a big smile on her face, and I thought, 'Okay, Daddy can get back to work.'"

Bella Santorum, who suffers from a lethal genetic condition called Trisomy 18, was diagnosed with double pneumonia Friday while her father was at his Virginia home to retrieve his tax returns.

Santorum was scheduled to address patrons at a Pizza Ranch restaurant in Luverne Monday, but the crowd was so large the event was moved next door to a theater.

Santorum is the first candidate to visit Minnesota this election cycle. The state holds its caucus next week.

The town of Luverne is adjacent to Lyon County in Iowa, where Santorum made a strong showing in that state's caucuses.