APD officer says motherly instinct kicked in during Amber Alert rescue

Amber Alert

With big brown eyes, 9-month-old Ariana Smith looked up at Albuquerque Police officer Cathie Offret as she did everything she could to help the tired and confused baby.

The images are seen on lapel video released by the Albuquerque Police Department.

Arianahad been missing for hours Monday, prompting an Amber Alert across New Mexico.

According to investigators, Lieghraughnzo Benally, a man the infants mother had just met, allegedly sped off in the car with the baby inside. Deputies said he later ditched the car, and the little girl.

A couple spotted the stolen SUV in their driveway hours later with baby Ariana still inside.

Police can be heard in the lapel video gauging her body temperature at 102.8 degrees.

Officer Offret was the first to arrive, and can be seen immediately trying to cool the baby down with water from a water bottle, and taking off the babys onesie.

Offret, who has a 14-month-old at home, said it was instinct.

Just looking at her, I knew right away that something was wrong and that it was serious, said Offret.

Offret said she couldnt help but think of her own daughter, and how she would want someone to do everything they could to save her. Still, she admits she couldnt help but imagine the worst.

I just didn"t feel like she was going to be OK. The whole time I was petrified that she was going to die, said Offret.

Baby Ariana was rushed to the hospital, where doctors assured Offret the little girl was going to be just fine.

It was a relief to Offret, who rushed home to see her own baby.

I just held her and cried and rocked her. I was so relieved to see her, she said.

Offret said she went to check on Ariana the next day and was pleased to see her moving and laughing.

Source: http://www.koat.com/news/apd-officer-says-motherly-instinct-kicked-in-during-amber-alert-rescue/39013794