The father of a missing Toronto teenager, who had been out on bail in connection with an alleged stabbing, is back in police custody after those who posted bail for him pulled their support.
Vakhtang Makhniashvili, father of Mariam, was taken into custody at about 2:30 p.m. Monday, Toronto Police told CTV News.
Mariam went missing on Sept. 14, 2009 after walking to Forest Hill Collegiate with her brother George. She had arrived in the city with him from the Republic of Georgia about one year ago to reunite with her parents. The family had been separated for about five years as their parents had been working in the United States.
Despite an intensive police investigation, Mariam has not been located.
In early May, police took Vakhtang into custody over an alleged stabbing incident of a fellow resident at their 20 Shallmar Blvd. apartment building.
On May 10, a court granted Vakhtang bail, put up by two individuals who acted as his sureties -- along with Lela Tabidze, his wife.
In a letter sent to CTV News on Sunday, Vakhtang said he learned his wife did not know the sureties personally.
He further claimed that his sureties are David and Rosita Langer, both of whom are private investigators.
He had been living with them but wanted to move out as his wife had found a new apartment for himself and George, he said.
The new apartment is very close to the location near Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue East where Mariam's backpack was located after she disappeared.
Makhniashvili said to the best of his knowledge, he only has to live with one of his sureties. He claimed to have informed the police bail compliance unit and 53 Division officers.
In any event, the Langers withdrew their names from his bail order on Monday.
If Makhniashvili can't find someone else to post bail for him, he will have to stay in custody awaiting trial on the assault-related charges. It isn't yet known when that trial will be held.
