A group of parents was enraged Friday night after their children were not allowed to leave school for four hours during a lightning storm.

Some parents at Ocoee Elementary and Middle schools chanted "free our kids" after they were not allowed to sign their children out of school after classes ended.

"I understand it is to protect the children, but I think the parents have the right to come up and release our children," parent Tracy Richards said.

Orange County school policy allows students to be held inside while dangerous lightning is in the area, but many parents likened it to a hostage situation, WKMG-TV reported.

"It is a hostage (situation) because you won't let me sign my child out," a parent said at the school. "And I have my ID and what you asked for and you are telling me to go back to my car?"

Orange County officials said they kept the children at the school for their safety because of the lightning in the area. They also stressed they did not violate any state policies.

Other schools in the area released their students at the end of class.

Orange County Sheriff Kevin Beary was called to the scene to help control the situation.

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