This baby’s hair streak is actually a rare inherited ‘birthmark’

A boy born with a bright white streak in the middle of his hair has become one of around 40 people in his family to inherit the rare 'birthmark'

Two-year-old Josiah Barnes, has a light patch in the middle of his jet black afro that we can't help but notice looks VERY similar to Cruella De Vil's infamous 'do in 101 Dalmatians.

The adorable little one turns heads when he leaves the house and his mum Latrece Barnes, who also has the distinctive trait, is constantly asked whether she's dyed his hair.

However, the bleached effect, known as the Mallen Streak, is caused by the condition poliosis, which is characterized by a lack of pigment in the hair.

Latrece and Josiah aren't the only ones in their family with this incredible trait either. The 34-year-old mum has revealed that her great great gran had it and so does approximately 40 of her relatives including her twin sister and her daughter Ra'Nyah Shy, 13.

The family say the hereditary feature is caused by a "kiss from an angel" and brings good luck. Collections supervisor Latrece, who lives with her husband Jacqua Barnes, and their family in Atlanta, Georgia, in America has said: "It is totally unique.

"I used to have to cover up Josiah's streak when we went out because we couldn't shop or get anything done. It would draw crowds.

"I have come across other people in Georgia who have it but nine times out of ten they are some type of relation."

She went on to say: "It runs through my family. We don't know where it originated but my grandmother had it as did her grandparents.

"My daughter has maybe five white strands of hair and my streak is about half the size of Josiah's.

"Most of us have a patch of skin on our forehead and a white patch at the top of the head in the center.

"It is like Frankenstein's wife."

The mum-of-three added: "The doctors were confused about it with me and my twin because it was new and my mum doesn't have it.

"They ran tests to make sure it wasn't a skin disease and they found that it wasn't."

WATCH: Two-year-old Josiah Barnes born with white streak birthmark in his hair

Josiah is at least the fifth generation in his family to inherit the streak, which not everyone in the family has. It skipped Latrece's four-year-old son Xavier, and didn't affect any of her twin sister LaTerra Shy's four children.

Some of those in the family who inherited the streak also have white patches of skin which look similar to vitiligo on their knees.

"It just depends on where the angels want to kiss you," Latrece said.

"A lot of people say it is a good luck streak or that our kids have been struck by an angel.

"When Josiah was born I had to have a C-section so I couldn't see him right away, but I heard the nurse say, 'He has the streak, he has the streak.'

"I had prayed for him to have it because it is so unique and it connects us to who we are."

As amazing as the hair streak is it hasn't always been easy for the family, the mum-of-three explained: "Growing up it is hard because kids tease you. They joke about it and used to call us 'skunk'.

"As you get older you realize it is good to be different. "I have had cousins who dyed theirs because they didn't want it, but I love mine and definitely embrace it now. "

She added: "People used to ask if I dyed Josiah's hair when he was a baby. I just say, 'No, it's a birthmark.'

"They say they have never seen someone like that."

How incredible!

Have you ever seen anyone with a rare birthmark? Do you have a unique birthmark? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

WATCH: Lauren Goodger EXCLUSIVE nude shoot and obese mum turns her life around

READ MORE

These are the EXTREME lengths people are going to to make ends meet

Can YOU identify the real names of our patron saints? Most people can't...

Mum issues warning about Mini Eggs after ‘daughter choked to death’