In a short MySpace blog post, Ashley Massaro announced today that she is seeking an early release from her WWE contract to care for her ailing 7-year-old daughter.  No word yet on what’s wrong with Ashley’s daughter.

This brings an end to years of rumblings on Internet forums suggesting that Ashley has a daughter named Alexis (Lexie for short) who lives in Long Island with her parents. In addition to the rumors, a photo of Ashley Massaro and Lexie has been circulating for over a year, but it wasn’t until today that Ashley confirmed publicly that she is indeed a mom.

Here’s what Ashley had to say:

some unfortunate news…this is the hardest decision i have ever had to make

I have some thing to tell you guys and I wanted u 2 be the first 2 hear it…I tried very hard out of the respect I have for her privacy and not wanting her 2 be exposed in any negative light but I have a 7yr old daughter and I just found out 2day that she not well and I can’t be on the road with WWE when my own flesh and blood needs me…I am a single parent trying 2 juggle taking care of my child and working my butt off for her and now at this point when she is sick and needs me home I have 2 make the decision 2 bow out of wwe for a while and take care of my daughter…I wish I could do both and that there were more ways 2 get everything done but with the severity of the situation I’m going 2 have 2 ask for an early release for now…I may be back if she gets better…please keep her in your prayers…I love the wwe…I love all the talent that works there and most of all I love all the fans…thanks for always being so supportive…so this is me taking a bow and stepping out of the lime light right now to take care of my family…stick with me guys cause I will be back somewhere some how when this is all over…thanks for all your love and support and I’m sorry 2 be the bearer of bad news…thanks and good night my punks…stick with me ill see you soon
Xoxo
Dirty Dirty

I guess this pretty much quashes the rumors that Ashley will be serving as valet to Atlas Ortiz, the newest member of the ECW roster, but there’s no denying Ashley is making the right choice here - probably one she should have made years ago.