Tulsi Gabbard's brother charged with trying to lure children to his hotel room

Batarti Gabbard has been charged after Honolulu Police said he tried to lure children to his hotel room. The case, described as a "stranger danger" incident, came as his family says he is undergoing treatment.The charge against Tulsi Gabbard's elder brother stems from what officials described as a "stranger danger" incident. (File photo: Reuters)Batarti Gabbard, the elder brother of former US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, has been charged with second-degree custodial interference after allegedly attempting to lure several children to his hotel room at a Waikiki hotel in Honolulu, police said.The alleged incident took place around 2 pm on July 12 in the pool area of an unnamed hotel. According to Honolulu Police, the 55-year-old approached multiple children, including a nine-year-old boy, asked for their names, wrote them down in a notebook and allegedly offered them gum and money in exchange for accompanying him to his hotel room.Police said the children refused his offer, after which Batarti Gabbard walked away. The incident was later reported to authorities by a 42-year-old woman. The charge stems from what officials described as a "stranger danger" incident.Separately, local broadcaster KITV reported that Batarti Gabbard was arrested on July 16 in connection with a theft case. He pleaded not guilty to the theft charge on Friday, was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on August 14. KITV also reported that no court date has yet been fixed in the custodial interference case.Honolulu Police confirmed that Gabbard is no longer in custody. Responding to media queries, Gabbard's father, Hawaii State Senator Mike Gabbard, declined to comment on the allegations but said his son continues to undergo medical and psychiatric treatment."We love him, and asked him to follow the protocol at the hospital, which he says he will do. We're praying for his speedy recovery, and would appreciate the prayers of others," Mike Gabbard told Fox News Digital.- EndsPublished By: Sahil SinhaPublished On: Jul 19, 2026 12:59 IST