Toronto police officers return to missing teen's high school Monday to talk to students
(Photo courtesy of: Toronto Police Service)
Toronto - Toronto police told 680News they are returning to Mariam Mahkniashvili's high school, Monday, to interview her fellow students again about the missing teenager.
The first time they were at Forest Hill Collegiate, students told officers they did not know the 18-year-old teen very well.
There are about 1,000 students at the school, so about 20 plainclothes officers will divide them into groups of about 30 for questioning.
The interviews, which should last about 10 minutes, will be conducted every morning this week. Police may want to spend more time with students depending on their responses.
The school principal, Peggy Aitchison, said police are just being thorough.
"I haven't been told that they're following up on anything. I know that they've had countless tips; but, I don't think those tips have led them to anything yet."
Mariam was last seen on September 14 after arriving at Forest Hill Collegiate with her younger brother. Despite two helicopter searches and the discovery of her backpack, police have said they are no closer to finding her.
Meanwhile, Toronto police officers were at the Ingram Transfer Station on Friday, sifting through garbage for any clues into the disappearance of the teen.
Garbage from the area of Bathurst St. and Forest Hill, close to where Mariam's family lives, goes to Ingram station, which is why police were ripping open each bag of garbage in hopes of finding anything suspicious.
The lead detective in the case, Det. Sgt. Dan Nealon, said the garbage operation is connected to the massive door knocking campaign currently underway.
"Perhaps any persons of interest who may want to hide, conceal, destroy, remove any type of evidence by way of garbage, we are sifting through it," explained Det. Sgt. Dan Nealon.
The police canvas is expected to last up to three weeks in Mariam's neighbourhood, located in the Bathurst St. and Eglinton Ave. area.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, or text TOR and message to CRIMES (274637).
