ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. -- Investigators said four robbers kicked their way through the locked front door of a house near Highway 150 in Rowan County and stole a family's Christmas gifts.

According to police, the robbers walked to the back door, knocked and then came back around to the front and broke in through the door while two scared children were inside.

Investigators said four robbers kicked their way through the locked front door at a house near Highway 150 in Rowan County.

Police said 15-year-old Shernita Torrence tried to dial 911, but the phone was snatched from her hands.

She was baby-sitting her 10-year-old brother, Malik, while both parents were at work Tuesday night, police said.

According to investigators, the robbers all wore masks, held down the children and demanded their Christmas gifts.

"This one man just sat on us and he said if we said anything he'd shoot us," said Shernita.

Police said the children did as the crooks asked, giving up a new computer, a new camcorder, a silver tennis bracelet, and several pairs of expensive Nike sneakers -- several thousand dollars in gifts.

"All my stuff -- gone. All my Christmas -- gone," said Shernita.

Shernita's mother, Michelle Gibson, said her wedding rings were also stolen, but she is more concerned with the danger int which her children were forced. She can't believe robbers would target children.

"I've been out here my whole life and never had a break-in like this and especially while my kids were here," said Gibson.

Deputies are following leads, but the family doesn't expect to see its Christmas gifts again.