The Krasniqi Family Case Summary

Case Analysis: The Krasniqi Family
The November 17, 1994 Dallas Observer published an article titled “Tell Momma Why You Cry” describing the incidents surround the removal of the Krasniqi children from their home. In this article Sam Krasniqi, the father, was accused of sexually assaulting his ten year old daughter Lima. Once the children were removed from their childhood home they were placed into the Buckner Baptist Children’s Home in East Dallas (Zimmerman, 1998). Kathy Krasniqi, Tim and Liam’s mother, pleaded multiple times with the case worker to be sensitive with their Muslim identity (Zimmerman, 1998). Her requests were denied because the case worker believed “… these people always stay together” (Zimmerman, 1998). This statement reflected the case workers negative viewpoints regarding the Muslim heritage. The first section will discuss the lack of resources used during the Krasniqi case. The second section will breakdown the cultural differences between Muslim heritage and United States culture. The last section will touch on what I personally

would have done if I were a social worker during the time of the incident.
Information not utilized by Child Protective Services
Two sources of information that could have been utilized by Child Protective Services (CPS) is a biopsychosocial assessment and a family assessment. A biopsychosocial assessment looks at a person’s physical, psychological and social issues an individual may face (Hutchison, 2015, p.159). In the case of the Krasniqi family, this assessment had the possibility of revealing multiple attributes about the family. For example, this assessment could have revealed the cultural differences between the Krasniqi family and the customs of the United States. It also could have revealed the language barriers between Kathy Krasniqi and the case worker. Mrs. Krasniqi spoke little English and she struggled understanding the questions asked of her in the interviews (Zimmerman, 1998). If a biopsychosocial assessment would have been used, properly, the case worker could have reached a better understanding of the Krasniqi family.
Another source of information CPS failed to use includes a family assessment. A family assessments purpose is to “identify strengths within the family that can provide a foundation for change” (Hutchison, 2015, p.160). A case worker is supposed to reduce the opportunity for maltreatment while helping children cope with the effects of the suspected maltreatment. In the case of the Krasniqi children this step was not properly followed. Tim and Liam were taken from their childhood home and placed into a Christian foster home. This transition was extremely difficult for them socially. According to Erikson’s psychosocial stages of development, both of the children were entering into adolescence throughout the time of the case. In this stage of development an adolescent learns about social relationships (Hutchison, 2015, p.112). This is the time a teen begins to develop a sense of self and personal identity. This stage was compromised for the children because they were taken from one cultural norm and placed into the opposite cultural norm. Tim, for example, was ten when the case began. At this age he had been in the adolescence stage for two years. After these two years, he was placed into a new home. He had to relearn the norms of society and reestablish his personal identity to fit in with these new social norms.
If these two types of services would have been utilized by CPS the outcome for the Krasniqi family could have changed drastically. A biopsychosocial assessment would have given insight on the family’s culture and their social norms. This could have provided a difference in treatment of parental rights and customs. A family assessment could have helped the children cope better with their transition into a new home. This assessment could have provided the case worker with needed knowledge about the children’s social development and long term affects.
Cultural Differences
An individual’s religious and cultural backgrounds are extremely important. The Krasniqi family was originally from an Albanian region called Kosovo. This region of the country has differing views on societal and cultural norms than the United States. In Kosovo children are universally adored (Zimmerman, 1994). They are kissed open mouthed, touched as a way to show affection, and are treasured by their parents (Zimmerman, 1994). This type of relationship continues until a child is of school age. In Dallas Texas this type of admiration is not acceptable. Children are loved by their parents but it is shown in a less physical way.
The eye-witness in the case of the Krasniqi family was an American who did not know the Krasniqi family’s culture. If the eye-witness testimony would have fully understood the significance of the culture differences she may have treated the situation differently. The same ideals relate with the case worker and arresting officer. If they were to understand the Albanian culture the actions surrounding the arrest of Sam Krasniqi may have been altered.
Another cultural difference relates to the Krasniqi religion vs. Christianity. Tim and Liam were placed into a Christian foster home when they were removed from their parents. The Christian foster home the children were placed in made Tim and Liam attend a revival the first week they arrived (Zimmerman, 1994). They were consistently exposed to Christianity and eventually converted. Due to exposure to Christianity the children began to eat pork and wear crosses. These actions are against the Krasniqi family’s religious beliefs.
If the Krasniqi children were placed with a foster family that shared similar religious backgrounds the children may have experienced a different outcome. Placement in a similar religious background home would allow the children to keep their heritage as well as assist them in the transition from childhood home to foster home. Lastly, if the children remained in a similar religious background home it would assist them in understanding the situation as they grew older. Due to the Christian home the children forgot their Albanian heritage. Therefore, as the children grew older they did not understand the reasoning behind Sam Krasniqi’s actions.
Social Work Perspective
If I were a social worker in the office of the Department of Human Resources at the time of this case I would have researched into the family’s heritage before making judgements about Sam’s actions.

The NASW code of ethics has six ethical principles. One of the six is Social Justice (National Association of Social Workers, 2008). This principal ensures social change for oppressed individuals. A social workers focus in social change relates to issues of unemployment and discrimination.
The Krasniqi family was discriminated against because of their Albanian heritage. If I were a social worker who shared an office with the social worker on the Krasniqi case, I would remind him/her of this ethical principle. We, as social workers, are supposed to speak out for those who do not have a voice. We are supposed to advocate for an individual’s right to practice their own religious beliefs and

customs.
Also, section 1.14 of the NASW code of ethics speaks about the ability to make informed decisions (National Association of Social Workers, 2008). Kathy Krasniqi was unable to make informed decisions when she was attempting to keep her children in their home. She, not only, spoke and understood a small amount of English, but also was not thinking clearly. Her main goal was to keep her family together and she would have said anything to make this happen. Section 1.14 of the NAWS code of ethics states (2008) “When social workers act on behalf of clients who lack the capacity to make informed decisions, social workers should take reasonable steps to safeguard the interests and rights of those clients”. This statement shows that a social worker on this case should have been aware of the emotional stress the Krasniqi family was under and take that into account when asking questions in the course of their interviews.
Where Are They Now?
The most recent information I have discovered about the Krasniqi family is from June 25, 1998, eight years after the Krasniqi children were removed from their family. Mrs. Krasniqi met with her lawyer, Reed Prospere, and shared her desires to reach out to her children. Mr. Prospere agreed and set up a meeting at a neutral destination two hours away. However, Tim did not want to see his biological mother at the scheduled time. On June 18, 1998 Tim Krasniqi changed his mind and decided to meet his mother. He asked his birth mother why she continued to look for him and Liam. Due to her constantly reaching out to them they were forced to move multiple times, he wished she would just leave them alone. When Mrs. Krasniqi asked Tim questions he answered them angrily. Finally, Tim stated that one day he and Liam may come looking for them, but until them for the Krasniqi parents to leave them alone (Zimmerman, 1998)
Conclusion
The case of the Krasniqi family had the possibility of having a different outcome if CPS would have used information properly, understood cultural differences, and implementing the code of ethics. The case of the Krasniqi caused uproar throughout the country. American’s believed that the actions of the Krasniqi’s were unforgiveable. Albanian’s felt as if their heritage was unimportant to those living around them.