text: Exactly 19 years ago on Wednesday, Kathy Bush made national headlines when she was arrested and accused of deliberately making her 9-year-old daughter ill for attention. All grown up, Kathy's now 27-year-old daughter Jennifer spoke out for the first time on the anniversary, saying she has repaired her relationship with her mother and believes she was never abused. 'Jennifer made it very clear: She thinks her mother never abused her,' Fort Lauderdale lawyer Robert Buschel, who defended Kathy in her criminal trial and released Jennifer's statement on Wednesday, told the Sun Sentinel. Scroll down for video . Ripped apart: In 1996, at the age of 9, Jennifer Bush was taken from her family after her mother Kathy (right) was accused of making her ill on purpose . Jennifer spent the first years of her life in and out of hospitals, as doctors struggled to find a solution to her near chronic illness that caused digestive issues and seizures. Chronically ill: In the first years of her life, Jennifer was in and out of the hospital as she battled chronic illness. A health care worker later reported Kathy Bush to authorities, suspecting the woman of purposefully poisoning her daughter with extra doses of medicine . Faced with mounting medical bills, Kathy started lobbying for health care reform and would often speak publicly and with publications about her family's battle to take care of Jennifer. Kathy even visited the Clinton White House to raise awareness of the issue. Then, in 1995, a health care worker reported to police suspicions that Kathy may have been intentionally making Jennifer sick by giving her extra doses of medicine. Police and child welfare authorities launched an investigation, and after a year amounted enough evidence to arrest Kathy on child abuse charges. Kathy's lawyer blames the investigation on Menchausen Syndrome by Proxy - a syndrome that had grown in notoriety at the time of his client's arrest. Those with the syndrome enact pain on others in order to draw pity and attention to themselves. After the arrest, Jennifer was taken from her family and put in foster care where she remained until she was 18. After a long legal battle, a jury in 1999 found Kathy guilty of aggravated child abuse and sentenced the mother of three to five years in prison. She served three years and was released in June 2005. Still the two were not allowed to see each other until Jennifer left foster care, at which point she was an adult. Against the odds, the two were able to repair their relationship and they now live close to each other in Georgia. While Jennifer declined to speak on camera about her life today, she issued a statement to news station WPLG, revealing the fact that she is now married to her high school sweetheart and working as a social worker. '[Nineteen] years ago today, on April 15, 199[6], my life was changed forever. That was the day that I was taken from my home and my family, but that day has not changed how close my family continues to be. 'The ten years I spent in Foster Care were traumatic, and I had some devastating things happen to me. 'However, I persevered because of all of the angels that were there for me during these difficult times. These people helped shaped the women I have become today. 'Today, I can proudly say my family is extremely close knit. We have flourished despite the devastating separation....My parents and I have picked up from where we left off, and have a very close and loving relationship.' When asked for comment, Kathy Bush issued her own one-sentence statement: 'We are very proud of Jennifer and our sons, they have all grown up to be fine adults and dedicated their lives to serving others.' [Nineteen] years ago today , on April 15, 199[6], my life was changed forever. That was the day that I was taken from my home and my family, but that day has not changed how close my family continues to be. The ten years I spent in Foster Care were traumatic, and I had some devastating things happen to me. However, I persevered because of all of the angels that were there for me during these difficult times. These people helped shaped the women I have become today. Today, I can proudly say my family is extremely close knit. We have flourished despite the devastating separation. The bond I had with my brothers, prior to being removed from my family, is something that never changed. My relationship with them helped carry me through my years in foster care. My parents and I have picked up from where we left off, and have a very close and loving relationship. Today, I am living my dream as a social worker, and changing the lives of the children, and families I am working with today. I am married to my high school sweetheart, who has walked along side me for the past ten years. I get a lot of joy making memories with my family, and making a difference in my community. Although this isn’t always a happy anniversary, it is a day to celebrate my family and who we are today. My message to foster children: . Growing up in the foster care isn’t an easy task. Actually, the odds are often against you to be succeed in life. I challenge you to rise up against those odds, and be the very best you can be with the circumstances you are facing. Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed to get the extra help that is offered, you will be thankful that you did in the future. There were many times that it would have been easier to give up, but its persevering against the odds that makes it even more fulfilling. Speak up for yourself, be your biggest advocate, and be proactive. At the end of the day we owe it to ourselves. Don’t let your current circumstance shape your future, and never doubt yourself! With respect, . Jennifer Bush .
target: Kathy Bush was arrested on April 15, 1996 on suspicion of purposefully making her 9-year-old daughter Jennifer ill for attention .
  The mother of three was sentenced to five years in jail and her daughter placed in foster care for the rest of her adolescence .
  On Wednesday, the 19-year anniversary of Bush's arrest,  her daughter spoke out to say they are now closer than ever .
  Jennifer Bush said in a statement that she believes her mother never abused her .