The brother of Tulsi Gabbard, former director of national intelligence under President Donald Trump, is facing serious legal issues. Batarti Gabbard was arrested and charged with second-degree custodial interference following an unsettling incident on July 12, reported by the Honolulu Police Department (HPD).
According to HPD, a man allegedly approached a group of children, including a 9-year-old boy, around 2 p.m. at a Waikīkī hotel pool. He reportedly offered them gum and money to go with him to his hotel room. The man also asked for their names, jotting them down in a notebook. The children declined his offer, and he subsequently left.
On Friday, authorities confirmed the suspect’s identity as Batarti Gabbard. Beyond these charges, his background reveals a complex family and personal situation.
Batarti Gabbard’s Background
Batarti, 55, originally named Bhakti Gabbard, is the eldest child of Hawaii State Senator Mike Gabbard and his wife Carol. He has four siblings, including Tulsi, and 10 nieces and nephews. The family has acknowledged Batarti’s past mental health challenges.
In a statement to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the Gabbards mentioned that Batarti had been stable for a decade. However, they noted a sudden change in his behavior, attributing it to marijuana use. A series of unfortunate events followed, leading to his recent arrest.
After being asked to leave the family home, Batarti lived on the streets, gave his car away, and experienced delusions, believing himself to be a rock star. A concerned family member had him evaluated at Queen’s Hospital on Friday.
He reportedly admitted to hospital staff that traces of cocaine, ice, and marijuana might be found in his blood. As a result, he was placed under a 72-hour hold for further observation and evaluation.
Protective Order Sought by Wife
In addition to his legal troubles, Batarti’s wife, Kimberley Gabbard, filed for a protective order against him. However, this request was dismissed last Friday. Her concerns were based on his recent behavior, which included an incident at the Ala Moana Center.
Documents indicate Batarti has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder featuring psychotic features and narcissism. There were also mentions of potential drug use as a contributing factor to his recent actions.
Family efforts to guide him toward psychiatric care have occurred, but his mental state continues to decline.
In separate charges, Batarti was arrested for theft but pleaded not guilty. He was released and assigned a public defender, with a hearing set for August 14. A court date for the custodial interference charge is pending.
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