Bhakti 'Batarti' Gabbard, the brother of former U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard, was arrested on July 12 in Waikīkī, Hawaii, on charges of second-degree custodial interference. Police allege that Gabbard, 55, approached several children, including a nine-year-old boy, near a hotel pool, offering them cash and gum in exchange for them accompanying him to his room.
Witnesses told police that the children refused his offers, and Gabbard subsequently left the area. A 42-year-old woman reported the incident to authorities, describing it as a "stranger danger" situation. Gabbard was arrested the following afternoon.
His father, Hawaii State Senator Mike Gabbard, stated that Bhakti Gabbard is experiencing a mental health episode and has been exhibiting erratic behavior. According to Sen. Gabbard, his son had been living on the streets, had given away his car, and was reportedly using drugs. He was admitted to a hospital for a 72-hour psychiatric evaluation.
This incident occurred a day after Bhakti Gabbard was arrested for theft. He appeared in court on Friday, pleaded not guilty to the theft charge, and was released. He is scheduled to return to court for that charge on August 14. A court date for the custodial interference charge has not yet been set.
According to his parents, Bhakti Gabbard has a history of mental health issues, but they claimed he had been doing well for the past decade. They attribute his recent erratic behavior to smoking marijuana, stating that his wife had asked him to leave their home. His father noted that Bhakti Gabbard had renamed himself "Batarti" and also "Jim Morrison Jr.," expressing delusions of becoming a rock star.
Prior to the hotel incident, Bhakti Gabbard had posted on social media about recording new music, expressing excitement about entering a studio and using his future success to promote Bhakti-yoga. He also mentioned an upcoming court appearance.
Following his release from custody on Friday, a family member reportedly took him to an emergency room at Queen's Hospital in Honolulu. During intake, he allegedly told medical staff that a blood test would confirm the presence of cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana in his system.
Bhakti Gabbard's wife, Kimberly, filed a petition for a protective order, citing fears for her safety. She alleged that on July 11, the day before the hotel incident, Gabbard was experiencing a "psychotic break" and was "gravely disabled." In her petition, she described an incident at the Ala Moana Center shopping mall where Gabbard allegedly disrupted others and was escorted out by security. She also stated that he became angry when she attempted to prevent him from driving.
A family court judge denied Kimberly Gabbard's petition for a protective order on Friday. She also claimed in court filings that her husband has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder with psychotic features and narcissism.
Mike and Carol Gabbard, the parents of Bhakti and Tulsi Gabbard, have five children. A request for comment from Tulsi Gabbard and Mike Gabbard was not immediately returned. Calls to a number associated with Kimberly Gabbard also went unanswered. Sen. Gabbard told Fox News that the family loves his son and is praying for his recovery.