Pubdate: Fri, 18 Oct 2002
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA)
Copyright: 2002 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc
Contact:  http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/340
Author: Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

GOV. BUSH'S DAUGHTER SENTENCED TO JAIL FOR 10 DAYS

ORLANDO, Fla. - Gov. Jeb Bush's daughter was sentenced to 10 days in jail 
and led away in handcuffs yesterday after being accused of having crack 
cocaine in her shoe while in drug rehabilitation.

Noelle Bush, 25, kissed her aunt Dorothy Koch as a sheriff's deputy cuffed 
her behind the back. Koch is the sister of President Bush and the governor, 
who was not in court.

In a statement, the governor said he realized that his daughter must face 
the consequences of her actions.

"Every parent of a child with an addiction understands that the long road 
to recovery is never easy and that there are numerous challenges along the 
way," he said. "This is a very difficult time for all of us... and I pray 
every day our beautiful daughter will once again know a life free from the 
horrors of substance abuse."

Later, the governor said he did not attend the hearing because he did not 
want to bring more media attention to the case.

Orange County Jail spokesman Allen Moore said Noelle Bush would be kept in 
protective custody away from other inmates, under 24-hour surveillance.

Circuit Judge Reginald Whitehead did not specify a reason for jailing Bush 
but told her he was aware of allegations she was found with crack. After 
she gets out of jail, she will go back to the drug treatment center.

Before being sentenced, she told the judge: "I sincerely apologize for what 
happened and promise to do well at the Center for Drug-Free Living."

She has been undergoing treatment in Orlando since February, after she was 
accused of trying to use a forged prescription to buy the antianxiety drug 
Xanax at a pharmacy. In July, she went to jail for two days after she was 
caught with prescription pills at the rehab center.
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