Former Trump administration official Tulsi Gabbard’s brother was arrested and charged because of a “stranger danger incident.” The incident happened in the afternoon on Sunday, July 12. Tulsi’s brother, Batarti Gabbard, 55, allegedly approached several children at a Waikīkī hotel pool area, according to the Honolulu Police Department.
Batarti was reportedly trying to lure the children into his hotel room.
HAWAII — Tulsi Gabbard’s brother charged with trying to lure children to a hotel room with gum and money pic.twitter.com/vX0XuApVBL
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) July 19, 2026
One of the children he allegedly approached was a nine-year-old boy. According to police, he tried to get the children to go to his hotel room by offering them money and gum. Additionally, the 55-year-old is said to have asked kids for their names, writing them down in a notebook.
However, the kids did not agree to go to his hotel room, and after that, Batarti allegedly left. According to The U.S. Sun, the police learned of this incident after a 42-year-old woman contacted them to report what happened in the hotel pool area.
A few days after receiving the report, police identified the man as Batarti, and he was arrested and charged with second degree custodial interference.
According to family, Batarti has been struggling with his mental health.
Batarti’s parents, Senator Mike Gabbard and Carol Gabbard, released a statement explaining their son’s recent mental health challenges. According to them, Batarti had struggled with his mental health prior to the recent stranger danger incident, but for the past 10 years, he had been doing well.
The family believes that drug use could have triggered his recent symptoms, which reportedly include delusions.
“Several days ago, he started acting erratically, as a result of smoking pot,” the statement from his parents read, per KITV 4 Island News. “His wife kicked him out of the house, so he’s been sleeping on the streets. He gave away his car to a homeless person; lost his ID and phone and has no money. He’s renamed himself, Batarti, and also Jim Morrison Jr., as he’s having delusions of being a rock star.”
His parents also noted that he went to the hospital for a psychological evaluation. Mike told Fox News, “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.”
His wife filed a protective order against him the day before the alleged stranger danger incident.
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. He had a rough night and is in a lot of pain but is finally home resting. Now recovery begins. We’re so grateful…
— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) June 4, 2026
In her petition, she stated that her husband had started displaying “erratic, impulsive, and bizarre behavior” and that it made her fear for her safety. According to Newsweek, her petition was rejected.
Batarti’s sister Tulsi was working for President Donald Trump up until very recently. She submitted her resignation in May 2026 and her last day working as Trump’s director of national intelligence was June 30. Prior to her resignation, there were rumors that she might step back from her role due to political differences, especially involving the war in Iran.
However, when she announced her resignation, she said that she made the decision due to a “deeply personal and difficult” reason instead: her husband’s health.
“My husband, Abraham, has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer,” she wrote in part. “He faces major challenges in the coming weeks and months. At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle.”
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