2-YEAR-OLDS NEARLY DROWN : 2 VALLEY BOYS HOSPITALIZED IN SEPARATE CASES.

Byline: Mary Beth Alexander Daily News Staff Writer

Two San Fernando Valley toddlers, both 2-year-old boys, were hospitalized after they nearly drowned in backyard swimming pools in unrelated accidents Tuesday.

Jessie Romo was in critical condition at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, where he was taken by helicopter after his mother found him face down in the pool behind their Reseda home around 9 a.m.

Another boy, who was rescued by family members after falling into a backyard pool around 4:15 p.m., was in serious condition at Childrens Hospital, officials said.

A neighbor said she was on her patio cleaning when she heard Jessie Romo's mother cry for help.

``I got on the fence and saw another neighbor jump in the pool to get the baby,'' said Elvira Ponce, who lives next door to the Romos' home in the 6400 block of North Wilbur Avenue.

Ponce said the baby fell into the pool after his mother, Rosa, went inside to get her purse.

The Romos, who have three other children, had just taken down the fence surrounding the pool Saturday to have it repaired, Ponce said.

Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Jim Wells said the child was not breathing when he was pulled from the pool, and was revived by his mother and the neighbor before paramedics arrived.

Jessie was conscious when he arrived at the hospital, but was placed on a respirator and listed in critical condition, said hospital spokesman Steve Rutledge.

Seven hours later, another child was pulled from a pool behind a home in the 8300 block of Willis Avenue in North Hills, and rushed to Childrens Hospital. Wells said the boy was conscious when paramedics arrived.

Rutledge said the boy, whose name was not released, was expected to remain in the emergency room for observation, then sent home before the night was over.

``We're just going to keep him in the emergency room to watch him for a little bit to make sure he's OK,'' Rutledge said.

It was unknown how long either child had been in the water, Wells said.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

PHOTO (1) Rosa Romo, center, watches as her son Jessie i s transported by paramedics Tuesday.

(2) A second 2-year-old is prepared to be airlifted to a hospital.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News