In the Matter of Alberto Bachman, Jr., against Annie F. Mejias

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals reversed the Appellate Division and reinstated the Special Term's order granting sole custody of the infant to the mother, holding that the Full Faith and Credit Clause does not apply to custody decrees and that the child's best interests require the mother retain custody. The Court emphasized its parens patriae role and declined to defer to the Puerto Rico decree.