The father of Mariam Makhniashvili says his family is being "cautious" after receiving word that his 18-year-old daughter may have been spotted in Calgary after not being seen for nearly three months.

Vakhtang Makhniashvili told CTV's Canada AM on Thursday that his family has no idea what happened to Mariam and urged the public to keep their eyes open and the police informed.

When asked about the possibility his daughter could have run away to Calgary, Makhniashvili said he couldn't believe she "could do this type of thing." 

The Forest Hill Collegiate student went missing on Sept. 14 after walking to school with her brother. She told him she would be going to class through a separate entrance but attendance records show Mariam never attended school that day.

The girl hasn't been seen since. Police said they have no evidence to suggest Makhniashvili ran away or that she may have met with foul play.

Toronto police say the RCMP are helping them follow up on a tip they received that the girl was spotted selling dream catchers and other crafts to local businesses in Alberta on Oct. 27. However, they said the sighting has not been corroborated.

Yesterday's news of a sighting came as a surprise to the Makhniashvili family. Her parents have said from the start that Mariam is a stable, quiet and shy girl who did not have the temperament to run away.

Vakhtang Makhniashvili said he still believes Mariam was taken against her will.

"Maybe it was brainwashing, maybe something terrible happened in her life that this could have happened, who knows," he said in broken English. "(Police) don't have any concrete evidence or facts that lead them to one direction or another."

He said police have even spoken to the family's friends and relatives in the Republic of Georgia where Mariam and her brother lived until this past June.

The siblings moved to Toronto to join their parents who had moved from Georgia five years ago to try and make a better life for their family.

"We know there are no signs she might be there or somewhere else," said Makhniashvili.

In the meantime, Mariam's father said his family is trying hard to be strong during this "tragic moment."

"Time doesn't quite cure in this type of case," he said.

He said he and Mariam's mother make sure their son George -- who was the last person to see the girl -- keeps a regular schedule.  He attends school every day and receives a lot of support from staff.

"For him it's been unbelievable," he said.

When Makhniashvili was asked what he would say to his daughter if she happened to be watching, paused.

"It's unbelievable to think she is watching," he said.

He then said if his daughter is watching, he wants her to muster up her energy and try and contact her family to let them know she is safe.

Mariam is white, 5'3" with light brown, shoulder-length hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing black jeans with front and back pockets and buttons as well as a baby blue, long-sleeved V-neck shirt. She was wearing a waist-length blue jean jacket.

Anyone with information is asked to call Toronto police at 416-808-5300, or to call Crime Stoppers at 416-222-8477. Members of the public can also send in tips online at www.222tips.com, or they can text TOR and a message to CRIMES (274637).

People in Alberta can call the Okotoks Detachment at (403) 938-7046.