Batarti Gabbard, the 55-year-old brother of former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, has been charged with second-degree custodial interference following an incident at a Waikiki hotel pool. Honolulu police allege that on July 12, Gabbard approached multiple children, including a 9-year-old boy, and offered them money and gum to accompany him to his hotel room.
Details of the Waikiki Incident
According to the Honolulu Police Department, the incident took place around 2 p.m. Witnesses reported that Gabbard asked the children for their names and recorded them in a notebook. When the children refused his offer to go to his room, Gabbard walked away. A 42-year-old woman subsequently reported the interaction to the police. Following an investigation, authorities took Gabbard into custody and filed the custodial interference charge.
Family Statements and Mental Health Context
Gabbard’s family has publicly addressed his current situation, citing a mental health episode. His father, Hawaii state Sen. Mike Gabbard, stated that his son has struggled with mental health issues in the past and had been doing well for a decade before this recent decline. Sen. Gabbard and his wife, Carol, indicated that their son had been acting erratically, which they attributed to the use of illegal substances. They noted that he had been admitted to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation and a 72-hour hold.
In a comment provided to media, Sen. Mike Gabbard stated, We love him, and asked him to follow the protocol at the hospital, which he says he will do.
Additional details regarding Gabbard’s state prior to the July 12 incident were provided by his wife, Kimberly Gabbard, who filed a petition for a protective order on July 11. She alleged that he was suffering from a psychotic break,
citing behavior such as singing loudly at the Ala Moana Center. Her petition, which noted his previous diagnoses of bipolar disorder with psychotic features and narcissism, was denied by a Family Court judge.
Legal History and Background
This incident is not the first time Batarti Gabbard has faced legal scrutiny. In May 2013, he was arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, on suspicion of battery, following a history of prior arrests in Clark County that included drug-possession charges. In the current legal matters, Gabbard faces a separate charge of theft for which he was arrested on July 16. He pleaded not guilty to the theft charge and is scheduled to appear in court for that case on August 14. As of the most recent reports, no court date has been set regarding the custodial interference charge.
Summary of Charges and Status
| Charge | Status |
|---|---|
| Custodial Interference (2nd Degree) | Charged; no court date set |
| Theft | Pleaded not guilty; court date Aug. 14 |
Batarti Gabbard, who is also known as Bhakti, is one of five siblings. The family has maintained a public presence through their involvement in Hawaii politics and their historical ties to the Science of Identity Foundation. Tulsi Gabbard, his sister, did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the incident.