why won't my mower move or crank ?

I have a riding mower with electric start, the mower is in neutral but the wheels won't free up and move forward or reverse. It's like it's stuck in a gear but will not release. I tried moving the shifter to forward, Neutral and reverse many many times and the wheels still will not move. It seems like it MAY be stuck in a gear but I can't really tell becasue the shifter moves freely back and forwards. Also when I try and crank the mower the ignition turns and trys to crank but the motor will not start it just keeps running down the battery trying to crank it. Is there a safety switch that won't let it start if it thinks in still in gear ??? Maybe thats the problem. I have a TORO-GT500 ( 2006 MODEL ). This mower is only 5 years old.

charles
January 2011