Parents of children who attend Bright Ideas Child Development Center in Lexington County hope Gov. Mark Sanford and other politicians help them in a last-ditch effort to keep the center open.

About six parents and a teacher met Thursday at Bright Ideas in support of the center's former director, Angela Almeida.

They also asked lawmakers to stop the order of Family Court Judge Richard Chewning, who said the center at 4274 Augusta Road must close at 6:30 tonight.

Almeida also has been banned from owning or working at any day care in the state, said DSS spokesman Jerry Adams.

She faces two charges of unlawful conduct toward a child by a legal custodian.

Lexington County detectives and DSS started investigating the center after 16-month-old Alex Bull was found at the center in January with more than a dozen human bites.

The investigation found that the boy had been bitten while left unattended with several other toddlers for more 45 minutes. Almeida had left the children in a room when she ran errands, investigators said.

"We just don't think that it was fair" that the center was closed, said Crystal Allen, who sends two sons to the center.

On Thursday, Allen said she left messages for Sanford and Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer and she plans to call politicians for help until the center closes.

"We all feel sorry (for Alex)," said teacher Melody Senn. "But we have to find new day care and new jobs because (his father) knows everybody. It's political."

The boy is the son of Lexington County pawn shop owner, Larry Bull, who has connections to Republican politicians.

Senn, Allen and the other parents said Bull's connections may have helped close the center.

Bull said the allegation is outrageous. "Certainly they don't think I wouldn't do everything to protect my child. Beyond protecting my child, my efforts are to protect their children."

Sheriff James Metts denied politics played a part in his department's investigation.

"A family court judge .‘.‘. shut down the day-care center based on information from DSS and a criminal investigation from our office .‘.‘. based on a complaint about child abuse," said sheriff spokesman John Allard. "Politics had absolutely nothing to do with how this case was handled."