HELP! John Deere Hydro 185 lawn mower wont start.

I have a mower out at the shop property that the caretaker kid was having problems starting and it ended up being the blade engagement lever was not "all the way" disengaged. The same mower will not allow the engine to run while the blades are engaged while in reverse either.

In other words check all appropriate levers for full "lock" or neutral/drive.