Tulsi Gabbard’s Brother Charged After Alleged Attempt to Lure Children

On July 12, Honolulu police reported that a man identified as Batarti Gabbard approached a group of children, including a 9-year-old boy, at a Waikiki hotel pool around 2 p.m. He allegedly offered gum and money to take the children to his hotel room, asked for their names and recorded them in a notebook. The children refused, and the suspect left the scene. The Honolulu Police Department subsequently arrested Batarti Gabbard and charged him with second-degree custodial interference.

Newsweek

Batarti Gabbard, born Bhakti Gabbard, is the eldest son of Hawaii State Senator Mike Gabbard and his wife Carol. The couple have five children, including former Trump intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard, and ten grandchildren. In a statement, Mike and Carol said their son has a history of serious mental-health problems, recently acting erratically after using marijuana, losing his ID and phone, and sleeping on the streets. They noted he has previously been diagnosed with bipolar disorder with psychotic features and narcissism.

Newsweek

In addition to the custodial-interference charge, Batarti Gabbard was arrested on a theft charge earlier in the week. He pleaded not guilty at an arraignment and was assigned a public defender. Court records reviewed by Newsweek indicate the next hearing for the theft case is scheduled for August 14; no court date has been set for the custodial-interference case.

Newsweek

The Honolulu Police Department confirmed the July 12 incident and the arrest but provided no further details. Mike and Carol Gabbard said the family had taken Batarti Gabbard to Queen’s Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation, where doctors were expected to test for cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana. They called for accountability if he is found guilty. Kimberley Gabbard, the suspect’s wife, filed a petition for a protective order on July 11, alleging severe erratic and impulsive behavior; the petition was denied.

Newsweek

The theft case will be heard on August 14. Authorities have not announced a hearing date for the custodial-interference charge, leaving the timeline for that proceeding uncertain.

Newsweek