WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. -- Nearly two dozen people lost their jobs, and 100 children got displaced, after Walnut Grove Christian School's day care was shut down after four 2-year-olds wandered away from the center on Tuesday.

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PDF: Day Care Ordered To Close

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The state ordered the day care center shut down after the Department of Public Welfare found conditions existing there "pose an immediate and serious danger to the life or health of the child in care."

Police said the toddlers walked out of the day care and down an access road. They ended up 200 yards away in the middle of busy West Mifflin Street.

When E. Dorcett, a witness, stepped out of a nearby gospel radio station for a break, he said he noticed the toddlers, one girl and three boys, in the road. He watched as two truckers ran to save the kids.

"I feel sorry for the people who lost their jobs (at the day care center), but I really would have felt more upset if the children would have got killed," said E. Dorsett.

"I'd rather you have a child to move forward with -- to another facility -- than not have a child at all," said Marvin Cammon, one of the truck drivers who stopped when he saw the children on the road.

“I was just in shock and disbelief. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was like a surreal moment, like I was dreaming. I was flabbergasted to say the least," said Cammon.

“I’d say (they) probably (walked) a couple hundred yards. They did it fairly quick,” said Pastor William Galus, of Walnut Grove.

“There was a door open, because it was a hot day, and I guess one of the day care workers' attention was diverted for a couple of minutes," said Galus.

Cammon said there’s no excuse for what happened.

The DPW said violations included improper supervision, unsafe areas, equipment safety issues and improper ventilation.

Walnut Grove representatives said they would appeal the closure.

"I'm a single parent, and this is going to be rough, because there's no day care in this local area that's going to be able to take care of all these kids," said parent Bill O'Connell. "So, I'm not going to work tomorrow because of this."

"I'm not saying we're not wrong. I'm not saying it's not wrong. We know things that happened. But this is 25 years. Have they ever had an incident? No," said employee Maria McCollough.

Galus said Wednesday no one is taking the incident lightly. An internal investigation is taking place, and disciplinary action will be taken.

"In light of what happened and the irresponsibility and just the indifference of the people involved, it just seemed like justice was served," said Cammon.