Bhakti 'Batari' Gabbard, the brother of former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, was arrested on July 12 and charged with second-degree custodial interference for allegedly approaching children at a Waikīkī hotel and asking them to accompany him to his room. Witnesses reported that Gabbard, 55, offered the children money and chewing gum in exchange for their company, but the children refused and alerted an adult, who then contacted authorities.
His father, Hawaii State Senator Mike Gabbard, and mother, Carol Gabbard, stated that Bhakti has a history of mental health issues and has been experiencing a drug-induced psychiatric episode. According to the senator, Bhakti had been sleeping on the streets and had given away his car. He had also been arrested for theft the day before the alleged hotel incident and pleaded not guilty to that charge.
During his theft court appearance, Bhakti was released, only to be taken into custody hours later on the custodial interference charge. His parents claim that Bhakti's erratic behavior began several days prior after he had been "smoking pot." They also stated that his wife, Kimberly, had kicked him out of the house.
In a social media post shortly before the hotel incident, Bhakti promoted his music career, referring to himself by new names such as "Batarti" and "Jim Morrison Jr." He wrote about recording "life-altering music" and intending to use future fame and fortune to promote Bhakti-yoga. He has since been admitted to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation, where he reportedly told doctors that cocaine, ice, and pot would be found in his blood tests. He is currently on a 72-hour hold.
Bhakti's wife, Kimberly, has filed a petition for a protective order, citing fears for her safety and alleging that Bhakti has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder with psychotic features and narcissism. She stated that he was experiencing a "gravely disabled (psychotic break)" on July 11, the day before the hotel incident, and that he had caused a disturbance at a shopping mall. A family court judge denied her petition on Friday.
Bhakti Gabbard is scheduled to return to court on August 14 for a hearing related to his theft arrest. A court date for the custodial interference charge has not yet been set. The Daily Mail has not received a response to requests for comment from Tulsi or Mike Gabbard.