Search Continues for Missing 11-Year-Old in Bulgaria as Sister Warns: "He Has a Knife"

The search for 11-year-old Natalia Slavova Asenova from the village of Konstantinovo continues today as police, local authorities, and volunteers intensified efforts to locate the missing child, who disappeared on June 30. According to the Ministry of Interior, the girl is believed to be with 40-year-old Asen Antonov Simeonov, whom relatives accuse of abducting her.

The case has prompted authorities to activate the Amber Alert system for missing children, while dozens of volunteers gathered once again in Konstantinovo to assist in the search. Mayor Dimitar Vladimirov said teams planned to begin operations earlier in the day, focusing on the areas around Konstantinovo as well as the municipalities of Beloslav and Avren. "At this stage, we are gathering our teams. We will search the land around Konstantinovo, Beloslav Municipality and Avren Municipality," he said.

Natalia's older sister joined the search and described a disturbing history involving Simeonov, who previously lived with the girl's mother. She alleged that he had subjected both her mother and Natalia to prolonged physical and psychological abuse. "There was domestic violence. He abused both my mother and my sister mentally and physically," she said, adding that although a restraining order had once been issued against him, it was lifted after authorities concluded there was insufficient evidence.

According to the family, Simeonov left Konstantinovo in April but unexpectedly returned on Monday afternoon. Natalia's sister claimed he has a criminal background and said his relationship with the child had deteriorated after initially being close. "He hasn't lived in Konstantinovo since April. Then, all of a sudden, he came back on Monday around 2 p.m. Asen is criminally active," she said.

She also alleged that before taking Natalia away, Simeonov threatened the girl, telling her that if she refused to go with him, he would kill her mother. "He came with that intention. Until April they were very close, but then he started abusing both of them," she said.

Although Simeonov is not Natalia's biological father, the family said he had maintained a close relationship with her. Still, the girl's sister fears Natalia is unable to escape because she is being intimidated. "My sister can't run away. As far as my mother told me, Asen has a knife with him," she said. "I don't know if she is safe. I just want us to find her."

The sister added that Simeonov is originally from the Provadiya area and has no permanent place to live. According to her account, Natalia managed to make two phone calls after leaving with him. During the first, roughly 40 minutes after they departed, the child reportedly called an uncle and asked relatives to save her mother. "He gave Natalia the phone to call my uncle and tell them to rescue our mother," she said, noting that the phone has since been switched off despite repeated attempts to reach it.

She said Natalia made a second call at around 5:15 p.m., asking about her mother's condition. When relatives asked where she was, the child reportedly replied simply, "I don't know."

Natalia's sister expressed concern that Simeonov could harm the girl, describing him as unpredictable and dangerous. "He has that kind of mentality. If he came here so boldly, then he is capable of anything," she said, explaining that he had reportedly traveled by taxi from his home region to Varna before continuing on foot.

As the search entered another day, the family appealed for additional volunteers. "We haven't found them yet. We're waiting for more people today and we're starting the search again. I call on everyone who is able and willing to come to Konstantinovo and help us search the surrounding area," Natalia's sister urged.

Police have not disclosed operational details about the ongoing search but said all necessary personnel and resources remain engaged in efforts to locate the missing girl as quickly as possible.