An unexpected criminal case involving a member of one of Hawaii’s most recognizable political families is drawing national attention after police announced disturbing allegations involving children at a popular tourist destination.
The case has also revealed troubling claims from family members, who say the suspect has recently struggled with homelessness, substance abuse and what they describe as serious mental health issues.
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Honolulu police have arrested and charged 55-year-old Batarti Gabbard, the older brother of former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, following what authorities described as a “Stranger Danger Incident” at a Waikiki hotel pool on July 12.
According to the Honolulu Police Department, officers launched an investigation after receiving reports that a man had approached several children near the hotel’s pool area.
Investigators allege Gabbard offered the children gum and money and attempted to persuade them to accompany him to his hotel room.
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Police said one of the children involved was a 9-year-old boy.
Authorities also allege that Gabbard asked the children for their names and wrote the information down in a notebook before the children declined his requests.
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According to police, the children refused to go with him, and the suspect walked away without further incident.
A woman who witnessed the encounter notified authorities, prompting detectives to begin investigating the allegations.
Following the investigation, police arrested Gabbard and charged him with second-degree custodial interference.
The Honolulu Police Department has not alleged that any child entered the hotel room or suffered physical injury during the incident.
Batarti Gabbard is the son of former Hawaii state Sen. Mike Gabbard and the older brother of Tulsi Gabbard, who served as President Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence before resigning in June.
The criminal allegations have been accompanied by revelations from family members about Batarti Gabbard’s recent personal struggles.
According to Hawaii News Now, relatives said his wife had recently forced him to leave their home and that he had been living on the streets.
Family members also said he gave away his vehicle to a homeless person, lost both his identification and cellphone, and had no money.
Relatives further claimed he had begun referring to himself as both “Batarti” and “Jim Morrison Jr.” because he believed he was a rock star.
Concerned about his condition, family members said they brought him to a hospital for a psychological evaluation.
According to relatives, Gabbard admitted to medical personnel that blood testing would reveal cocaine and marijuana in his system.
The family said doctors admitted him for a 72-hour psychiatric hold so he could be monitored.
Separately, Batarti Gabbard was arrested Thursday in connection with an unrelated theft investigation.
He pleaded not guilty to the theft charges.
Court records indicate he is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 14 in the theft case.
As of now, no court date has been announced for the custodial interference charge stemming from the alleged incident involving the children.
Tulsi Gabbard has not publicly commented on her brother’s arrest or the allegations.
The former Hawaii congresswoman resigned from her position as director of national intelligence earlier this year, explaining that she wanted to devote more time to her family after her husband was diagnosed with what she described as an extremely rare form of cancer.
Authorities have not suggested that Tulsi Gabbard or any other member of her family was involved in the alleged incident.
The allegations are solely against Batarti Gabbard, who remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court, Breitbart News reported.
As the case moves through Hawaii’s legal system, prosecutors are expected to rely on witness testimony and other evidence gathered during the investigation, while Batarti Gabbard will have the opportunity to contest the allegations during future court proceedings.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
