The older brother of former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has been arrested for attempting to lure young children including a 9-year-old boy to his hotel by offering them “gum and money.”
Honolulu police allege Gabbard approached several children, including a 9-year-old boy, asked for their names, wrote them in a notebook and offered them gifts including money and gum if they would accompany him to his hotel room without their parents.
Honolulu police have charged Batarti Gabbard, 55, with second-degree custodial interference after the July 12 “stranger danger” incident at a Waikīkī hotel pool.
BYPASS THE CENSORS
Sign up to get unfiltered news delivered straight to your inbox.
You can unsubscribe any time. By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Use
Batarti —who also goes by his given Hindu name, Bhakti — is the older brother of Tulsi, 45, and the son of Hawaii State Sen. Mike Gabbard.
Israel Declares War on US Sovereignty: Flock Cameras Will 'Police' Americans From Tel Aviv
Sen. Mike, 78, and his wife, Carol Gabbard, addressed the allegations against their son in a statement to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
“Bhakti has had mental issues in the past but has been doing well for the last 10 years,” the couple said, per the outlet.
“His wife kicked him out of the house, so he’s been sleeping on the streets. He gave away his car to a homeless person; lost his ID and phone and has no money. He’s renamed himself, Batarti, and also Jim Morrison Jr., as he’s having delusions of being a rock star,” they continued.
Fox report: Police said the incident occurred around 2 p.m. on July 12 at the pool area of an unnamed Waikīkī hotel, where Batarti Gabbard allegedly approached several children.
According to police, the children refused and Gabbard walked away.
A 42-year-old woman reported the incident to police.
According to KITV, Gabbard had also been arrested July 16 on charges of theft.
He pleaded not guilty to the theft charge Friday morning, was released and is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 14 in that case.
KITV reported that no court date has yet been set on the custodial interference charge. Police have confirmed Gabbard is no longer in custody.
