The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals has upheld a Texas court's custody ruling in the case of Bobby John Siscoe v. Emily Díaz Berríos, docket number TA2026AP00472. This decision affects the custody of a minor child, Tatiana A. Siscoe Díaz, and highlights the complexities of interjurisdictional custody disputes.

The court's ruling came on June 10, 2026, after Emily Díaz Berríos appealed a May 5, 2026, decision from the Superior Court of Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The lower court had validated a Texas court's order granting sole custody of the child to Siscoe and ordering her return to Texas. This ruling is significant as it emphasizes the legal framework governing custody decisions across state lines.

Background

Bobby John Siscoe and Emily Díaz Berríos are engaged in a custody battle over their daughter, Tatiana. The dispute began in Texas, where a court issued a “Final Order In Suit To Modify Parent Child Relationship” on April 12, 2023. This order granted Siscoe sole custody of Tatiana and mandated her return to Texas. Following the Texas ruling, Siscoe sought to have the order recognized and enforced in Puerto Rico.

Díaz Berríos contested the Texas court's jurisdiction and the validity of its ruling, claiming that Siscoe had provided false information to the Texas court. On February 24, 2026, she filed a response in Puerto Rico, asserting that there was an ongoing dispute regarding the Texas court's jurisdiction. Despite her objections, the Superior Court of Bayamón ruled in favor of Siscoe, leading to her appeal.

The Ruling

The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals, led by Judge Boria Vizcarrondo, confirmed the earlier ruling from the lower court. In its opinion, the court stated, “the determination of jurisdiction was made in accordance with the parameters of the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act (PKPA).” The court found that the Texas court had proper jurisdiction and that Díaz Berríos had ample opportunity to present her case in Texas.

The court emphasized that the legal standards for recognizing a foreign custody order require that the issuing court had jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter, that due process was observed, and that the order was not obtained through fraud. The court concluded that all these requirements were satisfied in this case, stating, “the fraud that prevents validation is only that which vitiates the judgment in such a way that it exceeds the precepts of full faith and credit.”

Impact

This ruling has significant implications for custody disputes involving parties in different jurisdictions. It reinforces the principle that courts must respect the decisions of other jurisdictions, particularly when the legal requirements for jurisdiction and due process have been met. The court's decision also serves as a reminder that claims of fraud must be substantiated with evidence rather than mere allegations.

The ruling may affect other similar cases in Puerto Rico and beyond, as it clarifies the standards for enforcing custody orders from other jurisdictions. Parents facing custody disputes across state lines may find it challenging to contest orders issued by courts in other states if they do not meet the stringent requirements outlined in this case.

What's Next

Díaz Berríos may still pursue further legal avenues, including the possibility of appealing the decision to a higher court. However, details on any related cases or future proceedings were not available in the court filing.