Missing teen’s backpack found
[attach]816[/attach]Police found a possible clue last night in the search for missing Forest Hill teen Mariam Makhniashvili — her school backpack.
The black bag with a green stripe was found in a parking lot behind 120 Eglinton Ave. East by a passerby who contacted police when he checked the knapsack for identification and found her belongings still inside.
“Forty uniformed officers plus the task force are now canvassing the Yonge and Eglinton area,” said Constable Tony Vella. “They’re doing door-knocks and speaking to people to get more clues to see who placed the knapsack at that location.”
At a press conference outside of Makhniashvili’s home on Shallmar Blvd.this afternoon, the missing girl’s father, Vakhtang Makhniashvili, said that he and his wife are still hopeful that their daughter will return home.
Police have been holding assemblies at the high school, canvassing the neighbourhood and have released recent photos and videos of the missing girl in hopes of garnering any information about her disappearance.
Crime Stoppers video appeals from her parents in both English and Georgian have also been put on YouTube.
Police have also posted appeals for information on Facebook and Twitter.
“We’re keeping an open mind,” said Vella. “We’re hoping to return her safe back to her parents.”
Mariam was last seen on Sept. 14 at 8:50 a.m. by her brother, George.
When they arrived for class at Forest Hill Collegiate Institute, George went in one door, and Mariam was expected to enter through another.
She moved to Toronto from the Republic of Georgia in June.
Mariam is described as white, 5’3″, 140 lbs., light-brown shoulder-length hair, brown eyes. She was last seen wearing black pants, a light-blue shirt, dark-blue jean jacket carrying a large black backpack with a green stripe.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at [url=http://www.222tips.com]www.222tips.com[/url] or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).
