Brother of Former US Intelligence Chief Arrested for Attempting to Lure Children in Hawaii

Honolulu police have arrested Batarti Gabbard, the brother of former US intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard, on criminal charges related to an alleged attempt to lure several children at a hotel in the Waikiki area of Hawaii.

The Honolulu Police Department reported that the incident occurred on the afternoon of July 12 near the pool area of a Waikiki hotel. Authorities suspect that Gabbard, 55, approached a group of children, including a 9-year-old boy, offering them money and chewing gum in exchange for accompanying him to his hotel room.

Police also accused Gabbard of requesting the children’s names and recording them in a notebook. However, the children declined his offer and left the area. A 42-year-old woman reported the incident to the police.

Gabbard was charged with "interference in the exercise of custody of the first degree" and remains in custody. No court date has yet been scheduled for this charge.

In a separate case, Gabbard was arrested on Thursday, July 16, on a theft charge. He appeared in court on Friday, pleaded not guilty, and was released with a return hearing set for August 14.

Mike Gabbard, a member of the Hawaii State Senate and father of Batarti Gabbard, stated that his son is experiencing a severe psychological episode. He explained that Batarti had a history of mental health issues but had been stable for ten years before exhibiting disturbed behavior again after smoking marijuana. This behavior led to him leaving his home, abandoning his car, changing his name, and claiming to be "Jim Morrison Jr.," the son of the lead singer of The Doors. Batarti was hospitalized for a 72-hour psychiatric evaluation.

Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned from her position in May to care for her husband battling cancer, has not commented on the case.