Can someone give me advice on what to do about the apartment I just rented?

Me, my wife and two small kids went to see an apartment and hopefully finalize our move across town. We seen the three bedroom place and really liked it. We took the kids home and came back the next day and did an application and was accepted, we were going to move in 2 weeks later and ran into the doorman on the way who was stopping us from entering. He told us no kids were allowed. We ured him they were our kids. He said doesnt matter it clearly states no kids allowed. We tried to speak with the manager about this and get our deposit back and he said he cant we had a signed one year lease to which we owe them fr reguardless fo the misunderstanding. plus he said we owe them a penalty year for leaving early so they have time to find someone.. we cannot afford to pay their rent and rent for another apartment. Can this be a legal lease agreement or under my cirstances do they legally have to let me and my wife out of the agreement. They say we owe them two years of rent on a one year lease.