RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil’s Supreme Court has delayed the return of 9-year-old boy to his U.S. father.

Thursday’s ruling by Justice Marco Aurelio Mello agrees with a petition by the boy’s Brazilian family that he remain in Brazil until the court decides whether the boy’s own testimony should be heard in the case.

The ruling suspends a Wednesday judgment by a lower court ordering that David Goldman be given custody of his son, Sean.

Because the Court goes into recess tomorrow, a ruling on whether the boy’s testimony should be heard is not likely before February.

The boy will remain in Brazil at least until then.