Florida boy born as a real life ‘ninja turtle’ due to skin condition

A Florida boy has lovingly been nicknamed “ninja turtle” by his parents after he was born with a “shell” growth on his back.

James McCallum, 19 months, was born with a large mass covering most of his back. Picture: SWNS

A 19-month-old boy was left with a “turtle shell” growth on his back after he was born with a rare skin condition.

James McCallum’s mother Kaitlyn, 35, said no ultrasounds revealed anything out of the ordinary before her son was born in Clearwater, Florida.

She said she was left “concerned” when she noticed the scabbing and lumps on his back when the boy, who they lovingly nicknamed “ninja turtle”, was born.

Kaitlyn and her husband, Tim, 41, a medical staffing recruiter, waited months for a diagnosis as the mass grew into what looked like a large mole that covered most of James’ back.

It took two months until doctors had a diagnosis – congenital melanocytic nevus, which is benign, tumour-like malformations resulting from faulty development of pigment cell.

James McCallum with parents Kaitlyn and Tim. Picture: SWNS

His parents were told it could be removed through surgery, and he had two surgeries in 2022 so he could lay on his back.

James then had surgery to replace the nevus with healthy skin, and now he will only need one more surgery to remove it in its entirety.

Kaitlyn says James now has more mobility and “certainly” seems more comfortable now that he’s able to lie on his back.

Kaitlyn, an inventory worker for a boat company, told SWNS: “Before it was removed it had grown rapidly and had become like a turtle shell on his back.

“It got to the point that we had to sleep him on his side as he couldn’t put his head down flat because it was so bulky.”

She said it covered 75 per cent of his back and began to get fattier, as though it was growing.

“He’s so much happier and more comfortable and we’ll just be happy to get all of it gone by the summer,” Kaitlyn said.

He was born with a skin condition. Picture: SWNS

Before having the first removal surgery in February 2022, James had to have an MRI to assess whether the mass was growing internally too.

Kaitlyn and Tim were then keen to have the nevus removed, after it began to affect James’ sleeping arrangements.

She said: “We had to speak to a plastic surgeon for removal as it comes with an increased risk of melanoma.

“They started the process of removal and over the course of a couple of months we did two different surgeries to remove the bulk of it.

“We were very happy with the results. He was able to lay his head down flat, and he seemed a lot more comfortable. They did tests of the removed skin and they came back negative for diseases, which was great.”

Following the successful surgery, Kaitlyn and Tim explored the idea of replacing the nevus with healthy skin as they were worried it may grow back, so they joined a Facebook group they were referred to by a specialist.

He had surgeries to remedy. Picture: SWNS

It was there the couple learned it could be extremely itchy, and that it couldn’t produce sweat glands.

Kaitlyn said: “They seem like little trivial things but they were big things to us.”

She said a doctor who specialised in the skin expansion was based in Chicago, so the procedure was done at home under online consultation.

“At first, you’re like, ‘How on earth can I do this to my own child?’ but as you get used to it you’re like, ‘Thank God I don’t have to go to Chicago for three months,” Kaitlyn said.

“We started that process in September 2022 and from what they told us, they believe they can sort it out by his second birthday in August.

James can now lay on his back. Picture: SWNS

He will need another procedure. Picture: SWNS

“The Facebook group is wonderful and they work with the Nevus Outreach Organisation who do brilliant research work.”

The first round of tissue expansion was a success and James will head back to Chicago in April to have the last expanders placed and expanded throughout the summer.

Kaitlyn said: “The doctor told us once it’s removed, it’s gone. He’s just going to have scars that will be minimal.

“This condition a lot of the time occurs on the face and we felt fortunate that he only had it on his back.

“Having this removed will give him the best quality of life. He’ll be able to tell a cool story about it and say it’s a shark bite or something. We will definitely take the scaring over having to deal with this any day.”