The older brother of former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has been charged with second-degree custodial interference after Honolulu police say he approached several children at a Waikīkī hotel pool, offered them money and gum, and asked them to accompany him to his hotel room, as his family says he remains under psychiatric care.
Batarti Gabbard, 55, was charged following a July 12 incident that police described as a “stranger danger” case at a hotel pool in Waikīkī, according to the Honolulu Police Department. Investigators allege Gabbard approached several children, including a 9-year-old boy, asked for their names, wrote them down in a notebook, and offered them money and gum if they would go with him to his hotel room. Police said the children refused and Gabbard walked away from the area.
A 42-year-old woman who witnessed the encounter reported it to police, triggering the investigation that led to Wednesday’s charge.
A Family Statement Amid Ongoing Treatment
Fox News Digital obtained a comment from Gabbard’s father, Hawaii state Senator Mike Gabbard, who declined to discuss the specific allegations but confirmed that his son continues to receive medical and psychiatric treatment. “We love him, and asked him to follow the protocol at the hospital, which he says he will do,” the elder Gabbard said.
“We’re praying for his speedy recovery, and would appreciate the prayers of others.” Tulsi Gabbard’s public office did not respond to a request for comment left by Fox News Digital.
A Second, Separate Arrest Days Earlier
The custodial interference charge was not Batarti Gabbard’s only recent legal entanglement. According to Honolulu television station KITV, Gabbard had also been arrested on July 16 on a separate theft charge.
He pleaded not guilty to that charge on Friday morning and was released, with a court date set for August 14. As of Saturday, Honolulu police confirmed to Fox News Digital that Gabbard is no longer in custody, and no court date has yet been scheduled for the custodial interference charge tied to the hotel pool incident.
A Family Long In The Public Eye
Tulsi Gabbard, who served as director of national intelligence before departing the role, has remained a prominent figure in national politics and intelligence circles even after leaving government, recently drawing headlines over her release of documents related to federal COVID-19 origin inquiries.
Her father, Mike Gabbard, has served for years in the Hawaii state Senate. Batarti Gabbard’s arrest thrusts a private family matter into public view largely because of his sister’s national profile, even as the underlying allegations against him are being handled through Hawaii’s ordinary criminal justice process rather than any matter connected to his sister’s former government role.
Police have not released additional details about the specific hotel where the incident occurred or provided further identifying information about the children involved, consistent with standard practice in cases involving alleged offences against minors. The custodial interference case remains in its early stages, with no court date yet scheduled, while the unrelated theft charge proceeds toward its August hearing.
