Tulsi Gabbard’s Brother Charged After Allegedly Trying to Lure Children to Hawaii Hotel Room

The older brother of former U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has been charged in Hawaii after authorities alleged he attempted to persuade several children to accompany him to his hotel room.

Bhakti “Batarti” Gabbard, 55, was arrested in Honolulu and charged with second-degree custodial interference following an incident that police say occurred at a Waikīkī hotel earlier this month. He has not been convicted, and the allegations remain pending in court.

Incident Allegedly Occurred Near Hotel Pool

According to the Honolulu Police Department, the incident took place on July 12 near the swimming pool of a Waikīkī hotel.

Investigators allege Batarti Gabbard approached several children, including a 9-year-old boy, asked for their names, wrote the names in a notebook, and then offered the children gum and money if they would accompany him to his hotel room.

Police say the children declined the offers and walked away safely. A woman who witnessed the interaction later contacted authorities, prompting an investigation.

Arrest Followed Separate Investigation

Authorities identified Gabbard after he was arrested days later in an unrelated theft investigation.

Following additional interviews and review of the reported hotel incident, prosecutors filed the custodial interference charge.

A court date for the new case has not yet been announced.

Family Cites Mental Health Concerns

Following the arrest, Gabbard’s parents, Hawaii State Sen. Mike Gabbard and his wife, Carol, released a statement describing their son’s long history of serious mental health challenges.

According to the family, Batarti had recently experienced worsening delusions, had been living without stable housing, and was receiving psychiatric treatment. They also said he had been placed on a temporary psychiatric hold shortly after the incident.

His wife had reportedly sought legal protection shortly before the hotel encounter, alleging increasingly erratic behavior.

Tulsi Gabbard Has Not Commented

Tulsi Gabbard has not publicly commented on her brother’s arrest or the criminal charge.

The former congresswoman and former Director of National Intelligence is not connected to the investigation, which focuses solely on the allegations involving her brother.

Investigation Continues

The Honolulu Police Department has not announced any additional charges at this time.

Batarti Gabbard remains presumed innocent unless and until the allegations are proven in court. As the legal proceedings move forward, investigators continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the reported encounter with the children.