Today in heartbreaking, strange and kind of screwed up local stories, a Chantilly, Va. mother sent her “uncontrollable” teen daughter (who only speaks English) to live in Siberia.

The punishment isn’t quite as odd as it initially sounds. As WUSA9 reports, the girl’s birth father lives in Siberia. But what the then 15-year-old Sofia Petrova was told was a three-week trip to see her father has turned into a two-year stay.

The parents claim Petrova’s “uncontrollable” behavior was worsening: “Sending Sofia to her father, grandparents, uncle, aunt, and cousin was not an easy choice that we had to make, but it was the right choice.” Petrova’s friend claims she never drank or smoke, but did drink a little.

Petrova told WUSA9 she’s now living on her own after allegedly being abused by her father.

Sofia’s parents have not completely ruled out helping her return to the U.S. They told us she needs to recognize her mistakes and show them that her behavior has improved. Sofia told WUSA9 reporter Andrea McCarren she believes she has already demonstrated that.