Family

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross says his wife is "being kept alive via life support equipment" after a bad car accident earlier this week ... and is now describing her brain injury as "catastrophic."

As we previously reported, Jan Ross was riding her Vespa home from the gym Monday night when she was struck from behind by another car. She was not wearing a helmet and suffered multiple skull fractures.

Jim says Jan is still hospitalized in Oklahoma and her life is in serious danger.

"We hope that the swelling of Jan's brain will subside soon as it must for her to survive," Jim explained in a blog post ... "It's that simple."

"Nonetheless my little, Italian angel who loves her Steelers and all things Pittsburgh is fighting for all's she worth to save her life."

Jim added, "I will fully admit that there has been no experience in my life that could have prepared me for this life changing week. To see one's life partner and love of one's life being kept alive via life support equipment is tragically heartbreaking."

Keshia Knight Pulliam's ex wants joint custody of their baby girl and has a bunch of people vouching for him ... including his ex-wife.

It appears from legal docs Keshia doesn't want Ed Hartwell near their 2-month-old daughter. She claims he plotted to trigger a miscarriage during her pregnancy, something he denied.

Hartwell just filed new docs in the divorce case, asking for joint custody of Ella Grace.

He submitted a letter from "RHOA" star Lisa Wu -- his ex wife -- singing his praises as a great dad and community man. Lisa says, "I am never worried about my child when he is with his dad, I know his dad will do everything within his power to love, protect and provide for EJ while he is not with me."

Lisa goes on, "I am positive that [Hartwell] will put his daughter's best interest first as he has shown with my children."

Ed says in the docs he's more than willing to pay child support.

Mike Epps' estranged wife is asking him to fork over six-figures every month to support the fam ... according to new docs.

Mechelle Epps claims Mike makes $3.5 million a year, but recently cut her off from bank accounts and credit cards, leaving her high and dry with zero income. She says Mike never wanted her to work during their marriage, and now she can't land a job because she's too old at 36.

In the docs, Mechelle says she spends several thousand bucks a month on shoes and clothes for their 10 and 12-year-old girls. Plus, the girls have to get their hair braided at an "expensive salon" ... not to mention food, vacations and $72k per year for private schooling.

Mechelle says her mom handles nanny duties for a mere $3,500 monthly, plus another $600 to cover Mom's Mercedes.

Katherine Jackson's sudden vanishing act while she's allegedly claiming elder abuse at the hands of nephew Trent Jackson is being masterminded by none other than Michael's brother Jermaine ... so claims Trent in new legal documents.

Katherine got a restraining order against Trent last month, claiming in a declaration he was pilfering cash and abusing her, something Trent vehemently denies.

Now Trent and his lawyer, Ron Rale, say they have serious doubts Katherine even wrote the declaration, and they're pointing the finger at Jermaine. They note Katherine says in the declaration she's been in London and therefore did not appear in court, but Trent thinks its something more sinister.

He points to a blow-up in 2012, when Katherine disappeared and went somewhere in Arizona. Trent claims Jermaine and some of M.J.'s other siblings essentially held her hostage, even taking away her iPad and cell phone and told her the TV was broken ... all in an effort to allegedly wrestle control away from Trent, who has been caring for Katherine since Michael died in 2009.

Trent and Rale believe history is now repeating itself and Katherine has again been stripped of her free will thanks to Jermaine and others, and it's all about controlling the M.J. Estate.

LaVar Ball is putting way too much pressure on his kids ... and it's not fair to them -- so says NFL star Victor Cruz.

The ex-NY Giants superstar clearly understands what it takes to dominate as a pro athlete -- and believes the crazy statements LaVar's been making ain't helpin' his 3 boys.

Jim Brown's teenage son is following in his father's footsteps ... as a killer lacrosse player -- and TMZ Sports has the video!

FYI, Jim has been hailed as one of the GREATEST lacrosse players of all time (in addition to that whole NFL Hall of Fame thing) ... and it's clear his son, Aris, has his father's gifts.

Aris is a freshman at Sierra Canyon High School in L.A. where he's already crushed a few impressive goals ... showing off speed, strength and shot power.

We spoke with Jim Brown who tells us, "It's great that he's playing lacrosse and that he loves it!"

"Modern Family" star Rico Rodriguez, who plays Manny on the show, publicly announced the death of his father who died last week.

The 18-year-old posted a photo of him and his dad, Roy Rodriguez, Sunday with a heartfelt caption that read in part ... "This has been the toughest week of my life. My Dad was the most kind hearted, loving, hard working, determined, and funny man I have ever known."

He added ... "I'm gonna miss your hugs. I'm gonna miss your advice. I'm gonna miss your smile, and I'm gonna miss your laugh. I know you're looking down at us right now giving us the green light to move forward. I miss you Daddy. I'll love you forever - Your youngest."

Roy passed away suddenly last Sunday ... he was 52. He is survived by his wife Diane, and his 4 children.

RIP

Ben Affleck was just like every other Los Angeleno Sunday trying to get around the L.A. Marathon, so of course ... he asked the paparazzi for directions.

The actor was out with his kids in the Pacific Palisades, when he realized he'd have to cross San Vicente Blvd. to head south ... but couldn't, 'cause it's part of the race course.

Who needs GPS when you've got eager paps standing by, and the exchange between them and Ben couldn't be more of a Southern Californian moment.

Ben, what are YEWW doing here?

Barron Trump took a stroll around the White House with his parents on Friday ... the first time he's been seen there since Donald Trump took office.

The president's 10-year-old son walked across one of the lawns with Melania -- who was decked out in red -- before boarding Marine One to start a weekend trip to Mar-a-Lago.

Melania and Barron Trump will become full-time residents of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in June ... TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with the situation tell us, contrary to some reports the president's wife and son may stay in NYC indefinitely, we're told they are "absolutely moving after the school year."

We're also told the family has already selected the school Barron will be attending.

The White House staff is already getting ready ... Melania's quarters in the residence are getting a fresh coat of paint.

Charles Manson murderer Bobby Beausoleil is jumping on the Trump bandwagon, calling BS on the media calling Manson's group a "family."

Beausoleil wrote a letter expressing his disdain for reporters who characterize the "semi-fictional entity" as "The Manson Family." He says it's all just "Manson mythology." The 69-year-old, who's locked up for life, does not specifically say why he takes issue with calling it a family, but it appears he's throwing shade on Charles Manson, suggesting he didn't have the power or reach to achieve "family" status.

But Beausoleil wasn't done railing ... he is still trying to justify the murders as more than a bunch of lunatics wreaking havoc on Los Angeles back in 1969. He says "with all that was in play during the tumultuous period of the late 1960's, the events that happened around Manson appear as some freaky aberration."

He goes on ... "It can only ever be understood if represented within the much larger frame, one large enough to include all the players and influences that fed into these events."

Beausoleil is serving a life sentence for the 1969 murder of Gary Hinman.

NFL lineman King Dunlap will NOT be prosecuted for violating a restraining order involving his baby mama ... and his lawyer says the two sides are working together to co-parent their kids.

Dunlap was arrested last month at his home when cops say he violated the terms of a protective order by visiting the residence while his GF was there. He was told by the judge to have no contact whatsoever.

We spoke with Dunlap's attorney, Worrick Robinson, who says the whole thing was a giant misunderstanding -- he was just at the home to pick up clothes.

Robinson says Dunlap and his ex are on good terms at the moment and are focused on working together to co-parent their two kids.

9:45 AM PT -- LaVar Ball just spoke about the incident ... saying it appears only a window was broken at the home.

He then told ESPN, "I wish I was there! It ain't hard to get in my home ... it's hard to get out."

The family home of LaVar Ball -- and his 3 superstar sons -- was hit by burglars in Chino Hills Tuesday night while LiAngelo and LaMelo were playing in a televised high school playoff game.

TMZ Sports has learned ... neighbors heard a suspicious crash sound at the Ball home around 8 PM and immediately called police.

We're told cops raced to the scene and when they got there, they saw a pile of Ball family belongings in the center of the home ... as if they'd been rounded up.

Our law enforcement sources tell us the operating theory is that due to the quick response of neighbors and cops, the bad guys didn't get the chance to make off with the goods before police arrived ... so they left the loot and bolted.

We're told cops are on the case ... taking fingerprints and looking for surveillance video. At one point, cops even used a helicopter to search for the suspects.

As for the Ball family, we're told it's typical for cops to instruct victims to go through their house and check for missing items.

A rep for the family tells us, "Everybody is safe."

Jose Fernandez's mom and girlfriend will split control of the late MLB star's estate, a Miami judge ruled on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old pitcher -- who passed away in a boating accident back in September -- left behind no will. Fernandez's attorneys have valued his estate around $2-3 million.

Fernandez's girlfriend, Maria Arias, gave birth to their daughter on February 24.

Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds are about to get a belated but pretty awesome public send-off.

The public memorial will be held March 25 at Forest Lawn, where the mother/daughter are buried. The ceremony will be held in a 1,200 seat theater at the cemetery.

One of the highlights will be the unveiling of a tribute song from James Blunt. James and Carrie were tight ... she was the godmother to his child. Blunt won't be performing, but Fisher's brother, Todd, tells us the track will debut over a photo montage.

Also on the program ... the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, a dance tribute from the Debbie Reynolds dance school, and tons of costumes and memorabilia will be on display.

Fisher's daughter, Billie, will be present but won't make any speeches. She says it's just too emotional to address a crowd.

Carrie's beloved dog, Gary, will be front and center.

The event will be streamed live on Carrie and Debbie's website.

Kanye West suffered a family tragedy Monday when his cousin's 1-year-old son died suddenly.

The cousin, Ricky Anderson, works at Kanye's label, GOOD Music, in L.A. We're told the child, Avery, died in his sleep. There was no previous sign of illness or distress.

Ricky wrote, "Today was the worst day of my life! I lost my lil man and gained an angel! Rest in Paradise!!! I love you man."

Avery had just celebrated his 1st birthday.