International
oi-Ashish Rana
Former US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s brother Batarti Gabbard has been arrested in Hawaii for allegedly luring the children at a Waikiki hotel. The shocking incident took place when Police accused him of luring the child earlier this month, that led to an investigation and later it turned to criminal charges.
Batarti Gabbard, brother of former US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, was arrested in Hawaii on July 17, 2026, charged with custodial interference for allegedly luring children at a Waikiki hotel on July 12, 2026, where no physical harm occurred.
Batarti Gabbard Arrested After Waikiki Hotel Incident
According to the Honolulu Police Department, the investigation started on 12 July, 2026 after police got a call of a report of a ‘stranger danger’ in the hotel pool area of Waikiki.
According to the police, they got a call informing that around 2 PM local time, an unknown man asked multiple children including a 9-year-old boy to come to his room, he lured them by offering gum and some money. The investigation revealed that the man even asked the children their names and note it down in his notebook.
However, every children refused to go with and denied his gum. The man then left the pool area and no child was physically harmed at that incident.
Police Identify Suspect and File Charge
Honolulu Police on 17 July confirmed that the suspect is 55-year-old Batarti Gabbard, also known as Bhakti. He was arrested and given custodial interference in the second degree.
Batarti Gabbard is the son of Hawaii State Senator Mike Gabbard, who leads Kapolei, Makakilo, Ewa and Ko Olina. His most interesting identity is that he is the brother of Tulsi Gabbard, former US Director of National Intelligence and also former Hawaii congresswoman. The case is still under investigation and allegations are being examined.
Family Cites Mental Health Concerns
While responding to the allegations, Mike Gabbard speaking to Hawaii News Now said that his is going through mental health crisis. He also alleged that Batarti is taking drugs and was also admitted to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation.
However, the mental health point is not going to affect the legal process and investigation, although it will help if the case goes move forward.
Tulsi Gabbard Recently Left Intelligence Post
Interestingly, the arrest of Batarti Gabbard came at the time when few weeks before Tulsi Gabbard resigned from the post of Director of National Intelligence to look for her husband’s health, Abraham Williams, who has been diagnosed with sacral chordoma, a rare type of bone cancer.
In a post on X, Tulsi Gabbard wrote, “My husband Abraham was diagnosed with a very rare sacral chordoma. The surgery to remove bone and surrounding tissue lasted almost seven hours and was successful.”
She also added, “He had a rough night and is in a lot of pain but is finally home resting. Now recovery begins.”
Tulsi Gabbard informed about his resignation to US President Donald Trump in May itself, however, she resigned from her post from the intelligence role on 30 June.
