Thousand Oaks Doctor, Her Unlicensed Husband Held In Death Of 88-Year-Old Woman

THOUSAND OAKS (CBSLA.com)  — Officials in Thousand Oaks said they have arrested a doctor and her unlicensed husband on felony charges related to the death of an 88-year-old woman.

Investigators from the Ventura County Inter-agency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit and the Health Quality Investigation Unit of the California Division of Investigation, formerly the California Medical Board, arrested Ellen Crowe and Paul McQuillan on Wednesday.

Authorities say Crowe and McQuillan own and operate a business known as House Call Doctor Thousand Oaks.

Polly Duntley was a patient of the facility.

Authorities say on July 31, McQuillan, who has no official medical training, responded to Duntley's home as part of a follow-up visit.

At the home visit, McQuillan allegedly injected Duntley with morphine provided by Crowe and ordered by a second doctor. This injection was done before a planned X-ray and ultrasound that was to take place at the residence. Duntley fell into a deep sleep within minutes. McQuillan then allegedly left the residence to treat another patient in the neighborhood. In his absence, a technician from another company arrived at the residence and performed the ultrasound on Duntley. McQuillan returned to the residence while the ultrasound was being conducted.

During the ultrasound procedure, McQuillan recognized that Duntley no longer had a pulse. He called 911 and attempted to provide first aid. Emergency responders resuscitated Duntley, but she never regained consciousness.

Duntley died in the hospital a few days later.

McQuillan, 61, was arrested at his Thousand Oaks home. A search warrant was also served at his residence, where evidence relating to the crime was found.

McQuillan was booked into the Ventura County Jail on suspicion of practicing medicine without a license and furnishing morphine.

Crowe, 54, was located in Bakersfield and arrested. She was booked into the Ventura County Jail on suspicion of conspiracy to practice medicine without a license and conspiracy to furnish morphine.

Officials said additional charges, including enhancements of elder abuse, great bodily injury or death occurring in the commission of a felony, and weapons violations are also possible.

An additional arrest is also expected in this case.

Crowe and McQuillan both secured bail.

They are scheduled to be arraigned in Ventura County Superior Court on May 27.

Anyone with information similar to this type of activity is encouraged to call the task force at (805) 383-8700.