Tina Fontaine's brother speaks out for 1st time since teen's death
'I know that it's not my fault. It took me a long time to realize that,' says Charles Fontaine, 19
For the first time since her body was pulled from the Red River last summer, Tina Fontaine's brother was finally able to visit his sister's Winnipeg memorial site today.
Charles said all he ever wanted was a family. He was adopted at birth and spent his life in and out of foster care, estranged from his siblings.
"I was happy because ... I finally got to see them for the first time after 16 years," said Charles.
The last message Charles got from Tina before she disappeared was what seemed like an ordinary text asking where he was. Charles didn't respond to that message because he said he was into drugs at the time.
"I just looked at it and I just ignored it, not thinking anything," he said. "Then, not [long] after, I found out."
Charles said the message has haunted him ever since.
"I know that it's not my fault. It took me a long time to realize that, because I blamed myself because I didn't reply back and I wasn't really around for her."
New struggles
Charles is now struggling with the news his cousin Jeanenne Fontaine and three other men have been charged with human trafficking.
Jesse Thomas and twin brothers Clinton and Eric Wirffel have all been charged. All men have criminal records.
Charles said while he didn't know them well, he did meet them once or twice at an apartment on Furby Street where his family lives. It's the same place where Tina spent some time before her disappearance and where Jeannene and her mother also live.
"It just, like, tore me down even more, because [it's] my own family," said Charles, adding he wishes he had more time to get to know Tina instead of having to say goodbye so soon.
"She was so young."
A publication ban is currently in place on the allegations against Jeanenne Fontaine and her three co-accused. None of the accused have been charged in connection with Tina's disappearance.