Batarti Gabbard, the older brother of former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, has been charged with second-degree custodial interference following an incident on July 12 at a Waikīkī hotel. Honolulu police allege that Gabbard, 55, approached several children at a hotel pool, asked for their names, wrote them in a notebook, and offered them gum and money if they would accompany him to his hotel room.
The children refused his advances, and Gabbard reportedly walked away. A 42-year-old woman reported the incident to the police. Gabbard is alleged to have engaged in this behavior around 2 p.m. at an unnamed Waikīkī hotel.
Hawaii state Sen. Mike Gabbard, the father of Tulsi and Batarti Gabbard, confirmed that his son continues to receive medical and psychiatric treatment. "We love him, and asked him to follow the protocol at the hospital, which he says he will do," Mike Gabbard told Fox News Digital. "We’re praying for his speedy recovery, and would appreciate the prayers of others."
Batarti Gabbard was also arrested on July 16 on charges of theft, according to KITV. He pleaded not guilty to the theft charge on Friday morning, was released, and is scheduled to appear in court on August 14 for that case. A court date for the custodial interference charge has not yet been set, according to KITV. Honolulu police have confirmed that Gabbard is no longer in custody.