Ablene Cooper, a housekeeper who once worked for Stockett's brother, criticized the author for stealing her life story without her knowledge and basing the character Aibileen on her likeness. Cooper sued Stockett for $75,000 in damages. Cooper also criticized her for making the negative comparison of her character's skin color to that of a cockroach, which to many would be interpreted as racist.[16] A Hinds County, Mississippi judge dismissed the case, citing the statute of limitations.[17] Stockett denied her claim of stealing her likeness, stating that she only met her briefly.[17][18]