“It was just the mother’s instinct,” said the officer who recovered the missing baby

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — It was a heartwarming scene. A two-month-old baby returned to his mother after a frantic Amber Alert launched a large-scale search across Ohio.

Columbus officials retrieved the baby and also gently stroked it. Emotions were high and fear was high.

Two-month-old Caius Burris was reported missing from Fairfield County. The officers were looking for the little boy and his 27-year-old father.

The large-scale search across Ohio led Columbus officials to an apartment complex in the southeast where they found the little boy.

WSYX cameras filmed officers comforting two-month-old Caius Burris and even giving him a bottle.

For officers Krystal Mori and Jason Ellsesser, it's a moment they'll never forget.

“It was a good feeling. A happy ending, knowing that the child was safe and that he would be back where he belonged. We realized that Dad might harm himself and have the child. So the biggest concern was, 'Where is this child?' for me,” said Mori.

“Anyone who wants to harm themselves is not in the right frame of mind. So we get the child and can worry about everything else later,” said Ellsesser.

The couple, both parents, spoke exclusively to WSYX. The couple discussed not only the tense minutes during the search, but also the tender touch they shared afterwards.

“It was definitely nice to know the baby was safe, and then it became clear that he needed something. He was sad, he cried and screamed. “We wanted to make sure he was fed, changed and cared for,” Mori said.

“He's been missing for a while so we didn't know when he last changed his diaper, when he last ate, and I thought, well, he's being held, so we'll go for that.” Choose options B and C, which mean he needs to eat and change his diaper. So he went to Giant Eagle and bought some diapers and some food,” Ellsesser said.

In a job full of stress and danger, both said moments like this really show what serving the community is all about.

“It was just mother’s instinct. Take care of a child who is crying and love him and love him until mommy comes,” Mori said.

The baby's father, Russell Burris, was later arrested and faces domestic violence charges.

For Mori and Ellsesser, the reunion of little Caius with his mother is an image they will always remember. For her, it's a reminder of her passion for helping others.