Children are being held hostage in barricade situation in Florida: SWAT team descended on the home more than 12 hours ago

A person has barricaded themselves and is holding multiple children hostage in Florida.

The Highlands County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday that the situation has been ongoing since Monday night.

Authorities have yet to release information on the exact location but have mentioned that it is in Venus, a community in southeastern Highlands County.

However, Allison Booth, a community transit employee, told Dailymail.com that SWAT vehicles had been spotted on Earnhardt Drive.

Brook Shaffer, who is local to the area, said a man had been barricaded in a home with children near the intersection of Earnhardt and Moss since midnight.

'Obviously we are hoping everyone comes out alive, but we are most concerned for the children,' Shaffer said.

Due to the amount of time elapsed, Polk County SWAT was called in to relieve the Highlands County unit.

The situation is contained and presents no danger to the rest of the community.

 'We are very proud of and grateful for our Highlands County officers and appreciate Polk County's assistance,' Shaffer added.

The sheriff's office told Dailymail.com that it is currently unable to provide additional information.

This is a developing story.