Batarti Gabbard charged with custodial interference in Honolulu

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 pool. Honolulu police allege that Gabbard, 55, approached several children, including a 9-year-old boy, offering them money and gum in exchange for accompanying him to his hotel room. The incident was reported by a 42-year-old woman, and police confirmed that the children refused his requests. Gabbard's family stated that he is receiving ongoing psychiatric treatment. Additionally, Gabbard was arrested on July 16 for theft, to which he pleaded not guilty. He has been released and is scheduled to appear in court on August 14 for the theft charge, while no court date has been set for the custodial interference charge.