UNION COUNTY, N.C. -- Robbers allegedly held two children hostage and kidnapped their mother in what investigators call an elaborate bank robbery scheme.

"My stomach dropped," said a relative of the victims, who asked not to be identified.  "You don't think that's going to happen to your family."

Investigators said that around 5:45 a.m. Monday, one of at least two robbers tied up a 12- and a 15-year-old inside their home located in the New Salem area of Union County.  Two men then kidnapped the children's mother and took her in her own SUV about 15 miles to her workplace at First Citizens Bank in Indian Trail.

"I know she's the nicest lady on earth," said the kidnapped woman's relative. "I know she was scared to death, especially for the kids."

Just after 9 a.m., police were called to the First Citizens Bank on Indian Trail Road North.

Moments earlier, the kidnapped employee had walked in with one of the armed robbers.

According to investigators, the woman told her co-workers to comply with the robber's demands, that her kids were being held hostage.

FBI and Union County Sheriff's deputies swarmed the rural residential property as well.

"They wouldn't give word if they're OK or not," said the relative.

Turns out the robbers had dropped off the mother back with her kids. 

Investigators found the stolen Dodge SUV abandoned nearby on the driveway of a vacant home.

"I thank God," added the relative. "I was praying the whole way home that they would be OK."

The woman and her children were not injured.

Union County Chief Deputy Ben Bailey said the woman didn't know her attackers but that they obviously knew some things about her.

The bank worker told investigators that one of her attackers was a Hispanic male in his early 20s who spoke with a "northern accent."

Investigators ask that you call Union County Crime Stoppers at 704-283-5600 if you have information about this case.